Angel Hernandez Retires: A Polarizing Figure Steps Away from MLB Umpiring

After three controversial decades, Angel Hernandez has announced his retirement from major league baseball. The news has sparked mixed reactions, with some former players expressing relief and others praising his contributions to the game.

Angel Hernandez, one of the most polarizing figures in major league baseball over the past three decades, has announced his retirement. The 60-year-old umpire, who has been at the center of several controversies during his 30-year career, made the announcement on Thursday.

Hernandez's retirement comes as a surprise to many, as he had not publicly indicated any plans to step away from the game. However, the news was met with mixed reactions from former players and fans.

Former New York Yankees star CC Sabathia was among those who celebrated Hernandez's retirement. Sabathia, who had criticized Hernandez's umpiring in the past, posted a GIF of the Looney Toons outro "That's all folks" on Twitter.

"I don't think Ángel Hernández should be umping playoff games. He's absolutely terrible," Sabathia said in a 2018 video after a playoff game where Hernandez's umpiring was widely criticized.

Other former players, such as Ryan Dempster and Jason Giambi, also expressed relief at Hernandez's retirement.

"I think it's a good thing for baseball," Dempster said. "He had a long career, but I think it's time for him to move on. I think it's time for him to retire."

However, not everyone was happy to see Hernandez go. Some fans and former colleagues praised Hernandez for his contributions to the game and expressed regret that he was retiring before his 31st season.

"Angel Hernandez was a great umpire," said former MLB umpire Joe West. "He was a very colorful character, but he was also a very good umpire. He had a lot of integrity and he called the game the way he saw it."

Hernandez's retirement brings to an end a controversial career. He was known for his quick trigger on ejections, and he was often accused of making biased calls against certain teams and players.

In 2017, Hernandez filed a lawsuit against the MLB, alleging that he was being discriminated against because of his race. The lawsuit was eventually thrown out by a district court judge.

Hernandez's retirement leaves a void in the MLB umpiring ranks. He was one of the most experienced umpires in the game, and his departure will be felt by both players and fans.

It remains to be seen who will replace Hernandez as one of the MLB's top umpires. However, his legacy will likely be debated for years to come.