MLB Umpire Pat Hoberg Disciplined for Alleged Gambling Violation

Major League Baseball has reportedly disciplined Pat Hoberg, one of its top umpires, for an alleged violation of the league's gambling policy. Hoberg is appealing the punishment, which has not been revealed, and denies ever betting on baseball. The investigation began during spring training.

Major League Baseball has reportedly disciplined umpire Pat Hoberg for an alleged violation of the league's gambling policy.

MLB Umpire Pat Hoberg Disciplined for Alleged Gambling Violation

According to multiple reports, Hoberg, 37, was disciplined after an investigation. He is appealing the punishment, which has not been revealed. Hoberg denies ever betting on baseball.

MLB said in a statement that it had "commenced an investigation regarding a potential violation of MLB's sports betting policies" by Hoberg during spring training. He has not worked in the regular season because of the investigation.

MLB Umpire Pat Hoberg Disciplined for Alleged Gambling Violation

The league said there is no evidence that "games worked by Mr. Hoberg were compromised or manipulated in any way," but "MLB determined that discipline was warranted."

This comes roughly two weeks after MLB handed down a lifetime ban to Tucupita Marcano for betting over $150,000 on multiple MLB games and one-year suspensions to four other players.

MLB Umpire Pat Hoberg Disciplined for Alleged Gambling Violation

Marcano is accused of betting on MLB games during his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates last season while he was on the injured list. According to The Associated Press, he was found to have placed 387 baseball bets, including 231 MLB-related wagers, between Oct. 16, 2022, and Nov. 1, 2023, totaling over $150,000.

"The strict enforcement of Major League Baseball's rules and policies governing gambling conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans," baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said when announcing the players' discipline.

"The longstanding prohibition against betting on Major League Baseball games by those in the sport has been a bedrock principle for over a century. We have been clear that the privilege of playing baseball comes with a responsibility to refrain from engaging in certain types of behavior that are legal for other people."

That same day, the league also said it cleared Shohei Ohtani of any wrongdoing in the gambling scandal involving his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who is facing 33 years in jail for allegedly stealing almost $20 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts.

Hoberg joined the majors in 2014 and is widely regarded as one of the best umpires behind the plate. In Game 2 of the 2022 World Series, he called all 129 taken pitches correctly.

The punishment for Hoberg is the latest in a series of disciplinary actions taken by MLB against individuals involved in gambling-related activities. In recent years, the league has banned several players and coaches for betting on baseball, including Pete Rose, Alex Rodriguez, and Barry Bonds.

MLB's gambling policy prohibits all employees, including players, coaches, umpires, and executives, from betting on any baseball game, regardless of whether they are involved in the game. The policy also prohibits employees from associating with known gamblers or engaging in any other gambling-related activity that could compromise the integrity of the game.

The investigation into Hoberg's alleged gambling violation is ongoing, and it is unclear what punishment he will ultimately face. However, the league's recent disciplinary actions against other individuals involved in gambling-related activities suggest that Hoberg could face a significant penalty if he is found to have violated the league's gambling policy.