Angel Hernandez, MLB’s controversial umpire, announces retirement (2025)

Umpire Angel Hernandez, heavily criticized by players, managers and fans for his calls over a three-decade career in major league baseball, said Monday night that he will retire.

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Hernandez announces retirement

Update 12:03 a.m. EDT May 28: Angel Hernandez confirmed his retirement in a statement issued through MLB, The Associated Press reported.

“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,” Hernandez said. “There is nothing better than working at a profession that you enjoy. I treasured the camaraderie of my colleagues and the friendships I have made along the way, including our locker room attendants in all the various cities.

“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.”

Original report: USA Today, quoting a “high-ranking” baseball official it did not identify, said that MLB would make an official announcement on Tuesday.

According to the newspaper, Hernandez, 62, had been negotiating a financial settlement over the past two weeks before reaching an agreement this weekend.

Hernandez confirmed his retirement in a statement issued through MLB, The Associated Press reported.

“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 enjoy. I treasured the camaraderie of my colleagues and the friendships I have made along the way, including our locker room attendants in all the various cities,” Hernández said.

Much-maligned umpire Ángel Hernández to retire from Major League Baseball https://t.co/y23XB8e08F

— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) May 28, 2024

Hernandez had not worked a game since May 9, when the Chicago White Sox defeated the Cleveland Guardians 3-2 at Guaranteed Rate Field, Sports Illustrated reported. He was replaced on the umpiring crew by Jacob Metz, according to the magazine.

Players and managers have criticized what they believed was Hernandez’s large and inconsistent strike zone and his penchant for quick ejections, according to the sports outlet.

Hernandez also unsuccessfully sued MLB for discrimination in 2017, according to The Athletic. He alleged that he was passed over for a crew chief position and World Series assignments because of his race, USA Today reported.

His lawsuit was dismissed in U.S. District Court in 2021 as MLB was granted a summary judgment, according to the newspaper. That decision was upheld last year by the 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, The Associated Press reported.

Hernandez, a Cuban American, began umpiring professionally in the Florida State League when he wa 20, USA Today reported. He became a full-time umpire in the National League in 1993, according to Sports Illustrated. He worked the All-Star Game in 1999 and 2009, and the World Series in 2002 and 2005, according to the magazine.

Hernandez worked only 10 games last season because of a back injury, but he missed 161 calls, according to Umpire Auditor.

According to USA Today, Hernandez had three calls overturned at first base in Game 3 of the 2018 American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

This season, Hernandez was criticized for calling three straight strikes against Texas Rangers rookie Wyatt Langford that were clearly outside the strike zone, Sports Illustrated reported. He also missed 12 strikes during that game, the magazine reported, citing Umpire Scorecards.

Hernandez also ejected St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn two times in the same game during spring training.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the retirement of umpires last week but did not mention Hernandez by name.

“The management of umpires is … a physically demanding job,” Manfred said, according to The Athletic. “It goes beyond just the evaluation, training and discipline. It also goes to things like thinking about their career path, how long should they be out there? And that implicates things like your retirement program.”

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Angel Hernandez, MLB’s controversial umpire, announces retirement (2025)

FAQs

Did MLB umpire Angel Hernandez announced retirement? ›

Angel Hernandez, the often controversial Major League Baseball umpire, has announced his retirement after more than three decades of service. Known for his inconsistent strike zone and quick ejections, Hernandez has been a polarizing figure in the world of professional baseball.

What controversial MLB umpire retired immediately? ›

MLB umpire Ángel Hernández is retiring effective immediately, ending a controversial three-decade-long career that in recent years turned Hernández into a source of consternation with players and a punching bag among fans on social media.

Why did Angel retire? ›

“I have decided that 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.

What happened to Angel Hernandez? ›

He broke into the league in 1991 and became a full-time umpire in 1993. Hernández umpired his final game on May 9. A back injury sidelined him for most of the 2023 season. "I have decided that I want to spend more time with my family," Hernández said in a statement.

What was the real reason Angel Hernandez retired? ›

Before that, spectators took their gripes with the controversial umpire's inconsistent strike zone to social media. And according to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the relentless online criticism is part of why Hernández suddenly retried. “A lot of that stuff, frankly, led to him going away. He got tired of it.

How much is a MLB umpire salary? ›

How much do MLB umpires make in the regular season? According to Career Trend, MLB umpires will make between $150,000 and $450,000 per season. The pay rates are based on experience. That means umpires who work deep into the postseason can make as much as $500,000 in a year, depending on their seniority.

What is Angel Hernandez's salary? ›

Angel Hernandez's Salary, Contract and More

First of all, his base salary of $400,000 is just a small segment. This increases to $430,000 when reaching 30 years of service. One might wonder, how he gets that hefty sum, given the ongoing debate about his performance.

What MLB umpire just retired? ›

Angel Hernández, an MLB umpire for over 30 years, announced on Monday night that he would be stepping down.

Do MLB umpires still rub up baseballs? ›

Before all MLB and MiLB games, an umpire or clubhouse attendant rubs six dozen or more balls with the mud to give them a rougher surface, to make them easier for pitchers to grip, and to comply with MLB Rule 4.01(c), which states that all baseballs shall be "properly rubbed so that the gloss is removed." The rubbing ...

Why was Angel cancelled? ›

Head writer David Fury "guaranteed" that if Joss Whedon had not requested an early renewal, Angel would have been back for a Season 6, saying Whedon's request for an early pick-up decision put Levin in a corner, forcing him to cancel the show, adding simply waiting would have gotten the show renewed.

Why did Angel lose his soul? ›

Angel lost his soul twice: first, when he slept with Buffy Summers, and again, due to a spell. On both occasions, he reverted to his murderous persona and sought to punish the people around him until his soul was restored again.

Does Angel ever come back? ›

In season three (1998–1999), episode three, "Faith, Hope & Trick", Angel is inexplicably returned from hell by an unknown party and is soon found by Buffy.

When was Angel Hernandez's first game? ›

Angel Hernandez: 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 enjoy.

What happened to the cop in Angel? ›

She never appears on the series again, due to Elisabeth Röhm joining the cast of Law & Order. However, she is mentioned again in "Dead End" soon after her last appearance-Angel mentions to his friends that they no longer have a friend in the LAPD.

What happened to Israel Hernandez? ›

Miami Beach officials have settled a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of Israel Hernandez-Llach, the 18-year-old street artist who died on Aug. 6, 2013 after he was shot in the chest with a Taser fired by a city cop who was chasing him for scrawling graffiti on a wall.

Who is the oldest umpire in MLB? ›

35 - Jerry Layne (NL, 1989–1999, MLB 2000–present) - as of 2024, MLB's most senior active umpire.

Who is the newest MLB umpire? ›

2023 MLB Umpire Crews

The newest members are Erich Bacchus, Adam Beck, Nestor Ceja, Shane Livensparger, Nick Mahrley, Brennan Miller, Malachi Moore, Edwin Moscoso, Alex Tosi & Junior Valentine.

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