MLB umpire Angel Hernandez is retiring effective immediately, ending a controversial three-decade-long career that has made Hernandez a subject of concern among players and criticism among fans on social media in recent years.
According to a source, Hernandez, 62, who confirmed earlier reports in a statement that he was retiring, has reached an agreement to leave Major League Baseball after umpiring thousands of games since his debut in 1991.
Hernandez, who played his last game on May 9 and was replaced on Lance Barksdale’s team by Jacob Matz, sued MLB in 2017, alleging that the league engaged in racial discrimination. The lawsuit was dismissed by a district court judge, a decision upheld by the Court of Appeals last year.
Hernandez, who has a reputation for poor decision-making, has faced a lot of criticism from fans – during a 2018 playoff game, three of his decisions in the first four innings were overturned by replay. The lawsuit fueled Hernandez’s anger and resentment grew to such an extent that Hernandez retired after missing most of the 2023 season due to a back injury.
Hernandez is well-liked among umpires, who have faced increased criticism in recent years and have stood up for him as a person. However, his work on the field has been so lacking that Hernandez has become a frequent trending topic on social media platforms and one of the most reviled figures in the sport.
This season alone, Hernandez made three strike calls on pitchers ranging from Houston’s J.P. France to Texas’ Wyatt Langford. In 2022, Philadelphia designated hitter Kyle Schwarber was thrown out by Hernandez when he slammed his bat after calling strike three on Josh Hader’s fastball that was off the plate.
Other accidents involving Hernandez predate the league’s instant replay system, including an incident in which Chicago Bears great Steve McMichael was ejected from Wrigley Field during the seventh inning after criticizing Hernandez over the stadium’s loudspeakers.
Especially after the retirement of Joe West ahead of the 2022 season, Hernandez became the face of umpiring — a job that has taken on increased importance as umpires are relied upon to enforce game pace measures, including the pitch clock. Ball-and-strike umpiring, which became front and center in Hernandez’s criticism, could soon be aided — or even completely controlled — by the use of MLB’s automated ball-strike system, which is currently used in the minor leagues but won’t be in the big leagues until 2026.
The grading system for umpires is intentionally vague, though at last week’s owners meeting, commissioner Rob Manfred supported the league’s work with umpires.
“There’s actually a very detailed evaluation system,” Manfred said, according to The Athletic. “They get evaluated twice a year, at midseason and at the end of the season. Those evaluations have monetary consequences in terms of what they get in terms of postseason assignments, which is a big part of what they earn. And there are, in fact, mandatory remedial activities that are imposed on umpires far more often than people realize.
“Having said that, I think managing umpires … is a physically demanding job. It goes beyond just evaluation, training and discipline. It also involves thinking about their career path, how long should they play? And it also involves things like your retirement program. I mean, there’s a lot that goes into managing it that I don’t think everybody fully understands.”
Hernandez had not worked a World Series game since 2005 and last umpired in the League Championship Series in 2016. His lack of playoff assignments, as well as not receiving a promotion to crew chief despite his tenure, formed the basis of his lawsuit against the league.
Hernandez blamed league executive Joe Torre, who was in charge of umpiring and later said in a statement that Hernandez had an “extremely confrontational style.” The judge granted summary judgment to MLB in the case.
In his full statement, Hernandez said: “Starting with my first Major League game in 1991, I have had the great experience of fulfilling my childhood dream of umpiring in the Major Leagues.
“There is nothing better than working in a profession you enjoy. I have treasured the friendships and camaraderie I have made along the way with my co-workers, including our locker room attendants in various cities.
“I’ve decided I want to spend more time with my family.
“Needless to say, there have been many positive changes in the game of baseball since I first entered the profession. This includes the expansion and promotion of minorities. I am proud that I was able to be an active participant in that goal while being a Major League umpire.”
