MLB Umpire Pat Hoberg has been disciplined for alleged sports gambling violations and will likely be sitting out this season.
The MLB forbids officials, coaches, players and owners from betting on baseball at any level – youth, college or professional. Hoberg is the second person to face retaliation by the MLB for sports betting. Tucupita Marcano, an infielder for the San Diego Padres has also been banned for life. It is unclear exactly what Hoberg’s discipline will be as he has appealed MLB’s decision. However, Hoberg has not umpired a single game this season, and it is unlikely that he will take the field again this year.
“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,” said Hoberg in a statement to USA Today.
It does not appear that any games were manipulated or compromised by Hoberg’s actions.
The MLB opened an investigation into Hoberg during spring training. If the investigation does find Hoberg guilty of violating the league’s gambling rules, he could face a number of disciplinary actions ranging from a one-year suspension to a lifetime ban from the sport.
While some fans find it shocking to hear that an umpire, who is supposed to be the arbiter of fair rules, was involved in sports gambling, others know that this could become an all-too-common occurrence. After the 2018 court decision to do away with the federal ban on sports betting, it has become more popular and more accessible to place a bet on a game. The biggest risk of legalized sports betting will remain players and coaches betting on games they take part in.
Hoberg and Marcano aren’t the only MLB figures in hot water over sports gambling. The scandal involving Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, is still playing out. Mizuhara allegedly stole funds from Ohtani and committed tax fraud after he accumulated major gambling debts.
As all of these sports betting scandals play out, baseball fans across the internet speculate about fixed games and the state of the sport today. One fact stands out from the rest: America’s favorite pastime is evolving as it steps into the future.
