Longtime Umpire Ángel Hernández Retires. He Unsuccessfully Sued MLB For Racial Discrimination

NEW YORK — Longtime umpire Ángel Hernández, who unsuccessfully sued Major League Baseball for racial discrimination, is retiring immediately.

Throughout his 30-year career, the 62-year-old Hernández was frequently chastised by players, managers, and fans for missed decisions and fast ejections, some of which occurred in high-profile situations.

On Monday night, Hernández started MLB, claiming he had opted to spend more time with his family.

“Beginning with my first major league game in 1991, I got the wonderful opportunity to fulfill my childhood ambition of umpiring in the major leagues. There’s nothing better than working in a profession you adore. I valued the companionship of my coworkers and the connections I formed along the way, particularly our locker room attendants in all of the places,” Hernández stated.

Hernandez | AP news Image

Longtime Umpire Ángel Hernández Retires. He Unsuccessfully Sued MLB For Racial Discrimination

“Needless to say, the game of baseball has undergone numerous beneficial changes since I originally entered the business. This encompasses the growth and advancement of minorities. I am glad that I was able to actively contribute to that aim while working as a major league umpire.”

Last August, a federal appeals court refused to restore Hernández’s racial discrimination lawsuit against MLB, resulting in his second loss. The 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals upheld a 2021 District Court decision granting MLB summary judgment.

Hernández sued in 2017. He claimed he was discriminated against since he had not been assigned to the World Series since 2005 and had been passed up as crew chief. From 2011 to 2016, he served as the interim crew chief.

Hernandez | AP news Image

Longtime Umpire Ángel Hernández Retires. He Unsuccessfully Sued MLB For Racial Discrimination

“Hernández has failed to establish a statistically significant disparity between the promotion rates of white and minority umpires,” wrote the 2nd Circuit in an 11-page decision. “MLB has provided compelling expert evidence demonstrating that, during the relevant years, the difference in crew chief promotion rates between white and minority umpires was not statistically significant.” Hernández does not explain why MLB’s statistical evidence is questionable.

Last season, Hernández was out with a back ailment until July 31. He batted eight times this season, including his final game on May 9 against the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox.

Hernandez | AP News Image

Longtime Umpire Ángel Hernández Retires. He Unsuccessfully Sued MLB For Racial Discrimination

Hernández has finalized an agreement to depart MLB, according to USA Today and ESPN, both of which cited unidentified sources. According to USA Today, the sides negotiated a financial settlement for two weeks before reaching an agreement this weekend.

Hernández was born in Cuba and began working as a major league umpire in 1993. He worked two World Series (2002, 2005), three All-Star Games (1999, 2009, 2017), and eight League Championship Series, including his final LCS assignment in 2016.

In Game 3 of the 2018 AL Division Series between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, Hernández had three first-base rulings reversed on video replay.

SOURCE – (AP)