Angel Hernandez Retires from MLB Umpiring Amid Controversy and Allegations of Racial Discrimination

New York, New York, USA United States of America
Angel Hernandez, MLB umpire with a controversial reputation for inconsistent calls and lawsuits alleging racial discrimination, retired effective immediately.
Despite the controversy surrounding his career, Hernandez issued a statement expressing gratitude for the opportunity to live out his childhood dream of umpiring in the major leagues.
Hernandez began his career in 1991 and has been a source of controversy throughout his tenure. He first came under fire for his large and inconsistent strike zone, quick ejections, and unsuccessful lawsuit against MLB for discrimination in 2017.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred alluded to Hernandez's retirement during MLB's owners meetings last week but did not directly mention him. The league has been criticized for its handling of his career and perceived lack of promotion opportunities for minority umpires.
Players around the game have long called for Hernandez to leave the industry, with some expressing frustration over his inconsistent calls and quick ejections.
Angel Hernandez Retires from MLB Umpiring Amid Controversy and Allegations of Racial Discrimination

Angel Hernandez, a controversial Major League Baseball (MLB) umpire known for his inconsistent calls and lawsuits alleging racial discrimination, has retired effective immediately. Hernandez's decision to retire comes after MLB approached him about the possibility earlier this season.

Hernandez began his career in 1991 and has been a source of controversy throughout his tenure. He first came under fire for his large and inconsistent strike zone, quick ejections, and unsuccessful lawsuit against MLB for discrimination in 2017. The lawsuit alleged that he had not been assigned to the World Series since 2005 and had been passed over for crew chief positions due to his race.

Despite his controversial reputation, Hernandez issued a statement confirming his retirement, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to live out his childhood dream of umpiring in the major leagues. He acknowledged the positive changes that have occurred in baseball since he first entered the profession and expressed pride in being an active participant in promoting diversity.

However, Hernandez's decision to retire was not without controversy. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred alluded to the retirement process for umpires during MLB's owners meetings last week but did not directly mention Hernandez. The league has been criticized for its handling of his career and the perceived lack of promotion opportunities for minority umpires.

Players around the game have long called for Hernandez to leave the industry, with some expressing frustration over his inconsistent calls and quick ejections. Bryce Harper, Ian Kinsler, and C.C. Sabathia are among those who have publicly criticized him in recent years.

Hernandez's retirement marks the end of a three-decade career that saw him work two World Series (2002, 2005), three All-Star Games (1999, 2009, 2017), and eight League Championship Series. His last game was on May 9 between the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox.



Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • It is unclear if MLB's handling of Hernandez's career and perceived lack of promotion opportunities for minority umpires is a result of racism or other factors.
  • The lawsuit alleging racial discrimination against Hernandez was not peer-reviewed or non-retracted.

Sources

92%

  • Unique Points
    • MLB approached Hernandez about retirement earlier this season.
    • >Angel Hernandez: I want to spend more time with my family.<
  • Accuracy
    • MLB umpire Ángel Hernández is retiring effective immediately after a controversial three-decade-long career.
    • Hernández sued MLB in 2017 alleging racial discrimination, but the lawsuit was thrown out by a district court judge and upheld by an appeals court last year.
    • MLB could soon implement an automated ball-strike system to assist or take over ball-and-strike umpiring.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The article contains several instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to emotion. The author uses phrases like 'punching bag among fans on social media', 'odium from fans', 'maligned figures in the game' and 'constant trending topic on social media platforms'. These phrases are used to elicit an emotional response from the reader, rather than providing objective analysis of Hernandez's performance as an umpire. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of Hernandez - he is described as well-liked among umpires but maligned by fans and players. This creates a false dichotomy and oversimplifies the complex nature of Hernandez's career.
    • ][The author] uses phrases like 'punching bag among fans on social media', 'odium from fans', 'maligned figures in the game' and 'constant trending topic on social media platforms'.[[/] [
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

86%

  • Unique Points
    • Angel Hernandez retired immediately.
    • Hernandez stated he wants to spend more time with his family in retirement.
  • Accuracy
    • Angel Hernandez retired effective immediately after a controversial three-decade-long career.
    • MLB approached Hernandez about retirement earlier this season.
    • Hernandez faced constant criticism for decades since hired full-time in 1993.
    • Filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against MLB in 2017, alleging rejection for promotion and non-selection to work World Series due to being Cuban.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (75%)
    The author makes several statements about Angel Hernandez's performance as an umpire being poor and making incorrect calls. However, the author also includes quotes from other sources that support these claims. While the author may hold a bias against Hernandez, they are reporting on facts and not making any fallacious arguments based on those facts. However, there are some instances of inflammatory rhetoric used to describe Hernandez's calls as 'horrendous' and 'worst in the majors'. This type of language is not necessary to make a valid argument and can be considered a form of emotional appeal. Additionally, the author mentions that MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed a desire to implement an automated balls and strikes system in the majors due to growing consensus. This statement is not presented as a fact but rather an opinion from the commissioner, which can be considered an appeal to authority if taken out of context.
    • Hernandez called Texas Rangers rookie Wyatt Langford out on strikes on three straight sliders that were way out of the zone; the called third strike missed the plate by 6.78 inches, according to the Umpire Auditor on X.
    • MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said late last week that there is a ‘growing consensus’ to using an automated balls and strikes system in the majors, which has been implemented in the minor leagues in some capacity since 2019.
  • Bias (80%)
    The author, Ryan Morik, repeatedly mentions the poor performance and controversial calls made by Angel Hernandez throughout the article. While it is factual that Hernandez has had some questionable calls in his career and has been criticized for them, this repeated emphasis on these incidents could be seen as an attempt to paint Hernandez in a negative light. This could be considered ideological bias as the author seems to have a clear dislike for Hernandez.
    • Following this, Hernandez lost a lawsuit against Major League Baseball that alleged racial discrimination.
      • Hernandez has grown a reputation as one of the worst in the majors, constantly going viral in recent years for some horrendous calls.
        • Hernandez once accused the league of ‘manipulating the performance of Mr. Hernandez and other minority umpires.’
          • MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said late last week that there is a ‘growing consensus’ to using an automated balls and strikes system in the majors.
            • Of 55 called strikes that day, 12 were actually balls, and some were egregious.
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            98%

            • Unique Points
              • >Angel Hernandez: I want to spend more time with my family.<
              • >Angel Hernandez: There have been many positive changes in baseball since I first entered the profession.<
            • Accuracy
              • >MLB approached Hernandez about retirement earlier this season.<
              • >Hernandez first entered the MLB profession in 1991.<
            • Deception (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Fallacies (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Bias (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            75%

            • Unique Points
              • Filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against MLB in 2017, alleging rejection for promotion and non-selection to work World Series due to being Cuban.
            • Accuracy
              • Angel Hernandez retired after more than 30 years of service.
              • Hernandez faced constant criticism for decades since hired full-time in 1993.
              • MLB could soon implement an automated ball-strike system to assist or take over ball-and-strike umpiring.
              • Players and MLB have long criticized Hernandez for inconsistent strike zone, quick ejections, and lawsuits.
            • Deception (10%)
              The article contains selective reporting as it only mentions the controversial calls made by Angel Hernandez that have drawn criticism and ignores any positive evaluations or recognitions he may have received. The author also uses emotional manipulation by quoting CC Sabathia's negative comments about Hernandez without providing context or balance.
              • The author only mentions the controversial calls made by Angel Hernandez that have drawn criticism and ignores any positive evaluations or recognitions he may have received.
              • The author quotes CC Sabathia's negative comments about Hernandez without providing context or balance.
            • Fallacies (85%)
              The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting CC Sabathia and other players' criticisms of Angel Hernandez. This is a fallacy as it does not prove that Hernandez's calls are inherently incorrect or biased.
              • "I don't understand why he's doing these games," Sabathia said in 2018 after the overturned calls. "He's always bad. HeΚa bad umpire.Λ
              • μyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper have had noteworthy dust-ups with Hernandez in recent years.
            • Bias (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            96%

            • Unique Points
              • MLB approached Hernandez about retirement earlier this season.
              • Hernandez first entered the MLB profession in 1991.
            • Accuracy
              • Hernandez retired immediately.
              • Hernandez sued Major League Baseball for racial discrimination twice and lost both times.
              • MLB provided persuasive evidence that there was no statistically significant disparity between the promotion rates of white and minority umpires during the years at issue.
              • MLB could soon implement an automated ball-strike system to assist or take over ball-and-strike umpiring.
            • Deception (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Fallacies (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Bias (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication