MLB Umpire Ángel Hernández Announces Retirement After 34 Seasons in Majors
Jack MurrayMay 28, 2024
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Angel Hernandez’s long career as a MLB umpire has come to an end.
He confirmed reports of his retirement Monday with a statement to Joel Sherman of the New York Post:
Joel Sherman @Joelsherman1Angel Hernandez confirming his retirement as a MLB umpire:
“Starting with my first Major League game in 1991, I have had the very good experience of living out my childhood dream of umpiring in the major leagues. There is nothing better than working at a profession that you…
Bob Nightengale of USA Today first reported that Hernandez is set to retire on Tuesday after 34 seasons of being an umpire at the MLB level. Jeff Passan of ESPN also confirmed the news.
Bob Nightengale @BNightengaleÁngel Hernández to retire: Much-maligned MLB umpire calling it quits https://t.co/2m9QJNlkcl
Hernandez’ last game was a May 9 contest between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians and Guaranteed Rate Field. He spent the past two weeks working with MLB on a financial settlement that finally found a resolution this weekend, per Nightengale.
He started working in the Major Leagues during the 1991 season and would umpire in 12 Division Series, eight Championship Series, two World Series and three All-Star Games.
It’s safe to say that Hernandez was not a beloved figure in baseball.
Tom Pelissero @TomPelisserohttps://t.co/hsD069Imlf pic.twitter.com/8Ww8ZpZR2r
He repeatedly drew the ire of fans, players and managers for his rulings on the field. This was particularly notable when he was behind the plate, with many questioning his competence at determining pitches as balls or strikes accurately.
He has clashed with MLB in the past, most notably when he filed a lawsuit against the league for racial discrimination in 2017 for the league not giving him a World Series assignment since 2005 and being passed over for crew chief. He would lose that lawsuit and have his subsequent appeal rejected.
He finishes his career with over 3,800 games umpired and while he may not be missed by fans, players and managers, it is an end of the road for a long-time fixture of the league.
