Pat Hoberg strikes out on MLB appeal over gambling violations

MLB Umpire Fired Gambling Violations
Image: DarioZg / Shutterstock

America’s oldest professional sports league is parting ways with a former umpire following an investigation that discovered the improper manipulation of a sportsbook account.

According to an ESPN report, MLB has upheld its decision to fire umpire Pat Hoberg for allowing a pro poker player and friend to use a sportsbook account registered in his name violating the league’s gambling policy. Hoberg has been fired after filing an appeal.

Hoberg has been relieved of his duties after MLB launched a probe in 2024 that led to his temporary dismissal from calling league games. MLB’s gambling policy allows wagering on sports outside of baseball but bans wagering on all baseball, including amateur games.

Hoberg, who became a full-time MLB umpire in 2017, has denied wagering on baseball.

“MLB umpires are held to a high standard of personal conduct, and my own conduct fell short of that standard. That said, to be clear, I have never and would never bet on baseball in any way, shape, or form,” said Hoberg in a statement. “I have never provided, and would never provide, information to anyone for the purpose of betting on baseball. Upholding the integrity of the game has always been of the utmost importance to me.”

MLB began investigating Hoberg last year after an account was created in his name with an unnamed operator. The wagers from Hoberg’s account became suspicious due to wagers being placed on baseball that were actually placed by the pro poker player and friend.

Hoberg also deleted messages regarding the wagers during the MLB’s initial probe.

“An extensive investigation revealed no evidence that Mr. Hoberg placed bets on baseball directly or that he or anyone else manipulated games in any way,” said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred in a press release. “However, his extremely poor judgment in sharing betting accounts with a professional poker player he had reason to believe bet on baseball and who did, in fact, bet on baseball from the shared accounts, combined with his deletion of messages, creates at minimum the appearance of impropriety that warrants imposing the most severe discipline.”

Hoberg is eligible to apply for reinstatement at the start of spring training in 2026. The 38-year-old has garnered respect as a home plate umpire with World Series assignments.

During the 2022 season, he called a perfect game during Game 2 of the World Series.

Recent gambling woes issues in MLB

Hoberg’s firing adds to a growing list of recent gambling-related issues in MLB.

Former Los Angeles Dodgers interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was fired in 2024 after stealing over $15 million from National League MVP Shohei Ohtani to cover gambling losses.

According to court documents, Mizuhara changed the alert and confirmation settings of Ohtani’s bank account to place more than 18,000 wagers with an illegal sportsbook.

Mizuhara pleaded guilty to federal bank and tax fraud charges for his role in the scandal. Federal prosecutors have recommended a 57-month sentence with a hearing on Feb. 6.

In 2024, MLB also handed former San Diego Padres utility player Tucupita Marcano a lifetime ban after an investigation found he placed 231 wagers on MLB contests.

The wagers, which totaled more than $85,000, were placed over a one-year period.

MLB also had to discipline four minor league players for wagering on MLB games while with minor league affiliates. The players, who received one-year suspensions, were Oakland Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly, Padres pitcher Jay Groome, Philadelphia Phillies infielder José Rodríguez and Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Saalfrank.

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