MLB issues statement on umpire Pat Hoberg

June 15th, 2024

Major League Baseball issued a statement on Friday following a report by The Athletic saying the league has disciplined umpire Pat Hoberg for violating the league’s gambling rules.

Hoberg, who has not umpired a game this season, has appealed the discipline, the exact nature of which is unknown.

“During this year's Spring Training, Major League Baseball commenced an investigation regarding a potential violation of MLB's sports betting policies by umpire Pat Hoberg,” MLB said in a statement to reporters. “Mr. Hoberg was removed from the field during the pendency of that investigation. While MLB's investigation did not find any evidence that games worked by Mr. Hoberg were compromised or manipulated in any way, MLB determined that discipline was warranted. Mr. Hoberg has chosen to appeal that determination. Therefore, we cannot comment further until the appeal process is concluded."

Hoberg, 37, has been a full-time MLB umpire since 2017. He has worked seven postseason series, including his first World Series in 2022. The Iowa resident also was the home-plate umpire for the Field of Dreams game between the White Sox and Yankees in 2021.