Umpire Ángel Hernández announces retirement amidst controversy | MyStateline

Longtime MLB Umpire Ángel Hernández Retires Amid Controversy

After a career spanning over three decades, Major League Baseball umpire Ángel Hernández has announced his immediate retirement. The 62-year-old umpire, who was known for his controversial calls and quick ejections, has decided to step away from the game to spend more time with his family.

Hernández, who unsuccessfully sued MLB for racial discrimination, issued a statement through the league expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to live out his childhood dream of umpiring in the major leagues. Despite facing criticism from players, managers, and fans throughout his career, Hernández highlighted the positive changes in the game of baseball, including the promotion of minorities.

Last summer, Hernández lost his racial discrimination lawsuit against MLB for a second time when a federal appeals court refused to reinstate his case. The court upheld a previous decision that granted MLB a summary judgment, citing a lack of statistically significant disparity in promotion rates between white and minority umpires.

Born in Cuba, Hernández was hired as a big league umpire in 1993 and went on to work two World Series, three All-Star Games, and eight League Championship Series. Despite the controversies surrounding his career, Hernández leaves behind a legacy in the sport of baseball.

Reports suggest that Hernández reached a settlement with MLB to retire, ending his tenure as one of the most polarizing figures in the world of baseball umpiring. His final game behind the plate was on May 9 between the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox, marking the end of an era for the veteran umpire.