MLB Fires Umpire Pat Hoberg Over Gambling Account Sharing

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MLB Fires Umpire Pat Hoberg Over Gambling Account Sharing \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Major League Baseball has fired umpire Pat Hoberg for sharing his sportsbook account with a friend who bet on baseball games and for deleting messages during the league’s investigation. Although the investigation found no evidence that Hoberg personally placed bets on baseball or manipulated games, his actions were deemed a violation of MLB’s integrity policies. Commissioner Rob Manfred upheld the decision, and Hoberg is ineligible to apply for reinstatement until 2026 spring training.

MLB’s Dismissal of Pat Hoberg – Quick Look

Reason for Firing: Shared sportsbook account with a friend who bet on baseball and deleted key messages during MLB’s investigation.
MLB’s Findings: No evidence Hoberg bet on baseball or manipulated games, but actions created an appearance of impropriety.
MLB’s Decision: Commissioner Rob Manfred upheld the termination on June 3, 2024.
Gambling Activity:
- Hoberg’s friend placed 141 baseball bets totaling $214,000 between 2021 and 2023.
- 19 of those bets were placed from Hoberg’s home and 8 involved games he umpired or oversaw as a replay official.
- Hoberg himself placed nearly $700,000 in bets, but mostly on football, basketball, hockey, and golf.
Hoberg’s Response: He admitted to “errors in judgment” but denied ever betting on baseball.
Next Steps: Hoberg can apply for reinstatement no earlier than 2026.

Deep Look: MLB Fires Pat Hoberg After Gambling Investigation

In a significant disciplinary action, Major League Baseball fired umpire Pat Hoberg on June 3, 2024, after an investigation revealed that he shared his sports gambling account with a friend who bet on baseball games and later deleted messages related to the league’s inquiry. While MLB’s probe did not find evidence that Hoberg himself bet on baseball or altered game outcomes, his association with the gambling activity led to a serious breach of MLB’s integrity rules.

How the Investigation Unfolded

The case against Hoberg, a highly regarded umpire, began in February 2023, when a sportsbook reported suspicious activity involving an account registered in his name. This prompted an MLB investigation, during which Hoberg was kept off the field for the 2023 season.

According to MLB’s findings, Hoberg opened a sportsbook account in his name on January 30, 2023, but a separate electronic device associated with that account was used by another person—later identified as a professional poker player and friend of Hoberg’s. That individual placed 141 bets on baseball games, totaling nearly $214,000, winning about $35,000 in profit.

What the Investigation Found

Although MLB found no direct evidence that Hoberg himself bet on baseball or influenced any game outcomes, the investigation did uncover alarming details:

Hoberg’s friend placed 141 baseball bets, including 19 from Hoberg’s home address.
Eight of those bets involved games in which Hoberg was an umpire or replay official.
In total, the friend wagered nearly $700,000 across multiple sports using accounts that Hoberg accessed.
Hoberg placed 417 direct bets with Sportsbook A and 112 with Sportsbook B, totaling over $700,000, mostly on football, basketball, hockey, and golf.
There was no clear pattern suggesting game-fixing, as the bets varied across different teams and leagues.

Breakdown of Bets on Games Hoberg Officiated

While the investigation could not establish game manipulation, MLB detailed eight baseball bets involving games Hoberg worked:

April 13, 2021 – Cincinnati vs. San Francisco
- Hoberg made three close calls at third base, all ruled correctly.
- A $2,000 and $1,000 money line bet on Cincinnati lost as they fell 7-6 to San Francisco.
June 15, 2021 – Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets
- Hoberg was the lead replay umpire, with no reviews in the game.
- A $1,050 bet on a live runs line won $1,550.
August 15, 2021 – Dodgers vs. Mets
- Hoberg was the plate umpire, with 98.89% accuracy in his calls.
- A $3,200 money line bet on the Dodgers won $5,200.
October 8, 2021 – NLDS Game 1: Dodgers vs. Giants
- Hoberg was the third base umpire, with no close calls.
- A $2,000 money line bet and $3,000 run line bet on the Giants won $9,300.
October 30, 2021 – World Series Game 4: Astros vs. Braves
- Hoberg was the lead replay official, upholding a crucial call in the sixth inning.
- $3,000 and $1,050 money line bets on Houston lost as Atlanta won 3-2.

Deleted Messages and MLB’s Decision

One of the most damaging findings was that after MLB investigators contacted Hoberg, his friend deleted Telegram messages that tracked betting transactions. Shortly after, Hoberg himself deleted his entire Telegram account.

This act of obstruction was a key factor in MLB’s decision to fire him. Commissioner Rob Manfred upheld the termination, emphasizing that even if Hoberg did not bet on baseball, his involvement created a perception of impropriety.

“Hoberg’s extremely poor judgment in sharing betting accounts with a professional poker player, combined with his deletion of messages, creates at minimum the appearance of impropriety that warrants the most severe discipline,” Manfred stated.

Hoberg’s Response and Future

Hoberg, known for his unprecedented “umpire’s perfect game” in the 2022 World Series, accepted responsibility for his mistakes but maintained his innocence regarding baseball betting.

“I take full responsibility for my errors in judgment. Those errors will always be a source of shame and embarrassment to me. That said, I have never and would never bet on baseball in any way, shape, or form.”

He will be eligible to apply for reinstatement in 2026, but his future in MLB remains uncertain.

What This Means for MLB and Sports Betting Integrity

MLB has taken a zero-tolerance stance on any potential conflicts related to gambling, reinforcing its commitment to protecting the integrity of the game. This case follows increased scrutiny on sports betting as it expands across the United States, raising concerns about the impact on athletes, officials, and the credibility of professional leagues.

While Hoberg’s case did not uncover match-fixing, his account-sharing and deleted messages were enough to justify his dismissal, setting a precedent for future gambling-related offenses in baseball.