Sports gambling continues to take over the world of sports with each passing day, but in the MLB, gambling continues to permeate their league, leading to punishments for players, coaches, and now, even umpires. On Friday night, reports began to surface that well-respected umpire Pat Hoberg has not been allowed to work games this season due to a gambling punishment he has received.
Hoberg has been umping games since 2014, and he became a full-time umpire back in 2017. It’s not clear exactly what sort of gambling Hoberg has been accused of, but he has denied betting on baseball, which would almost certainly result in him receiving a lifetime ban from the league. For the time being, though, all Hoberg can do is sit and wait for the MLB’s investigation to conclude, which the league admitted is currently ongoing.
“Major League Baseball said Friday night it has disciplined umpire Pat Hoberg for violating the league’s gambling rules, and that he is being held out of games during this season while an appeal is considered. MLB acknowledged the existence of the investigation in response to inquiries from The Athletic.” – Ken Rosenthal & Evan Drellich, The Athletic
Pat Hoberg currently appealing MLB’s punishment
The MLB absolutely does not want any of their own personnel betting on their own games, which has led to a fairly strict gambling policy. Nobody is certain why Hoberg is accused of betting on, but he has been waiting out his appeal since back in the spring, with both the MLB Umpires Association and Hoberg offering a statement on the situation.
Via Bob Nightengale:
“The Major League Baseball Umpires Association statement: ‘The Major League Baseball Umpires Association was made aware in Spring Training that Umpire Pat Hoberg was being investigated for potential violation of Major League Baseball’s sports betting policies. We have been working with Pat since then. We are now appealing the discipline issued by Major League Baseball. Because the appeal process is ongoing, the Union cannot discuss the matter. We will have no further comment until the appeal process is complete.”
“We also provide the following statement from Umpire Pat Hoberg: I am appealing Major League Baseball’s determination that I should be disciplined for violating the sports betting policies. While that appeal is pending, it would not be appropriate to discuss the case. That said, I have devoted my adult life to the profession of umpiring, and the integrity of baseball is of the utmost importance to me. I look forward to the appeal process, and I am grateful that the Major League Baseball Umpires Association is supporting me in the appeal.’’
It’s a waiting game for Hoberg now to see if his appeal stands, but this is just the latest sports gambling issue that we have seen pop up, particularly in the MLB. If he’s found guilty, Hoberg will likely face a stern punishment, and this is certainly a situation that is worth keeping an eye on moving forward.
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