After more than three decades in Major League Baseball, umpire Ángel Hernández is retiring immediately to spend more time with his family. The 62-year-old, often criticized for missed calls and quick ejections, shared his decision in a statement through MLB, reflecting on his career that began with his 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,” Hernández said, highlighting the friendships and camaraderie he enjoyed throughout his career.
Hernández, who was born in Cuba and joined MLB in 1993, worked in two World Series, three All-Star Games, and eight League Championship Series. Despite his achievements, he was embroiled in a racial discrimination lawsuit against MLB, which he lost twice, most recently last summer when the 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals upheld a District Court’s decision granting MLB a summary judgment. Hernández alleged discrimination for not being assigned to the World Series since 2005 and being overlooked for a crew chief position.
During the 2018 AL Division Series between the Yankees and Red Sox, Hernández faced significant scrutiny when three of his calls at first base were overturned on video replay reviews. Last season, he was sidelined by a back injury until July, and this year he umpired his final game on May 9. Reflecting on the changes in baseball over his career, Hernández expressed pride in contributing to the expansion and promotion of minorities in the sport.
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