Ángel Hernández, a 62-year-old MLB umpire, recently reached a settlement to retire after 33 seasons. Despite his long career, Hernández was known for making controversial and often incorrect calls on the field. His retirement announcement was met with mixed reactions, with some criticizing his performance and others expressing relief. MLB Metrics, an X account, went as far as calling him “probably the worst umpire of all time” and shared a video of a player raging at Hernández after a call in a 2022 game. CC Sabathia, a former New York Yankees pitcher, openly celebrated Hernández’s retirement, reposting a meme and an interview in which he criticized Hernández’s abilities.
During a 2018 playoff game, Sabathia had previously criticized Hernández, stating that he believed Hernández should not be umpiring playoff games because of his poor performance. In that same series, Hernández had three calls overturned by replay in a single game, further adding to his reputation for making bad calls. As news of Hernández’s retirement spread, fans and players alike took to social media to share their own experiences and opinions on the umpire. One poster invited others to share their own lowlights of Hernández’s career, leading to a collection of clips where broadcasters openly criticized his decisions on the field.
Despite the criticism, Hernández had a long and storied career as an MLB umpire, spanning over three decades. His retirement marks the end of an era for the umpiring community, with some viewing it as a positive change for the sport. However, others argue that Hernández’s departure highlights larger issues within the MLB umpiring system, with calls for increased accountability and oversight. While Hernández’s retirement may be seen as a victory for those who have criticized his performance, it also raises questions about the challenges and pressures faced by umpires in such a high-stakes and competitive environment.
As Hernández prepares to walk away from the game, fans and players reflect on his legacy and impact on the sport. Despite his controversial calls and poor reputation among some players and fans, Hernández’s retirement marks the end of a long and successful career as an MLB umpire. The reactions to his retirement highlight the complicated relationship between umpires, players, and fans, and raise important questions about the role and responsibilities of umpires in professional sports. Hernández’s retirement may be seen as a turning point for MLB umpiring, signaling a potential shift in attitudes towards accountability and performance standards for officials on the field.
