Controversial Major League Baseball umpire Àngel Hernández is retiring effective immediately, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Passan Monday (May 27) night.
Hernández, 62, confirmed his retirement in a statement re-shared by Passan shortly after his report Monday night.
"Starting with my 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 wrote. "There is nothing better than working at a profession that you enjoy. I treasured the camaraderie of my colleagues and the friendships I have made along the way, including our locker room attendants in all the various cities.
"I have decided that I want to spend more time with my family.
"Needless to say, there have been many positive changes in the game of baseball since I first entered the profession. This includes the expansion and promotion of minorities. I am proud that I was able to be an active participant in that goal while being a Major League umpire."
USA TODAY MLB columnist Bob Nightengale was first to report Hernández's retirement plans Monday night.
Hernández, who last worked an MLB game on May 9, has been criticized by many fans and players, specifically during the era of social media, for blown calls during his three-decade-long career. The Cuban native had previously sued MLB in 2017, alleging racial discrimination, before the lawsuit was thrown out by a district court judge, which was later upheld by an appeals court in 2023.
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that MLB approached Hernández about moving on from umpiring and he agreed, with his lawyer confirming to Athletic colleague Sam Blum that his client "was not forced out" by the league.
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