The most controversial and polarising umpire in baseball has decided to end his innings with the sport. Angel Hernandez, the name that almost always created a raucous amongst fans has announced that he’s retiring from baseball immediately. With over thirty years of experience in the sport, Hernandez is leaving behind a legacy that was controversial but quite memorable.

Though this is a big development, it isn’t a sudden one. MLB had been working with the idea of Hernandez’s retirement this season. The criticism around him had only gone louder and that made even Angel Hernandez agree with it. As a result, ever since his last game on May 9, the league and Hernandez had been working on a financial agreement. Now, the umpire has released a statement announcing his retirement.

“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,” Hernandez’s statement read. Later the umpire thanked his colleagues and noted that he was retiring because he wanted “to spend more time with my family.” While the statement didn’t explain what made Hernandez take such a drastic step, one could guess it was due to increasing fan anger.

Per The Athletic, Hernandez’s lawyer Kevin Murphy shared that the continuous criticism hurt Hernandez and his family. “What hurts him the most,” Kevin Murphy said. “Is the pain that his two daughters and his wife go through when they know (the criticism) is so unbelievably undeserved.”  

Throughout his career, there have been multiple moments where fans and players have asked for his retirement. Despite that Hernandez’s career was filled with some big games.

The mixed relationship between Angel Hernandez and the league

Angel Hernandez has worked three All-Star Games (1999, 2009, and 2017), 12 Division games, 8 Championship Series, and two World Series (2002 and 2005). However, it is a testament to his controversial ways that Hernandez hasn’t been seen near a World Series for over 17 years. It frustrated Hernandez too who ended up going to the court against MLB citing racial discrimination in 2017. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2021.

While that was ongoing, Hernandez’s feuds with players also became more fierce. With Bryce Harper saying, “Every year. It’s the same story, the same thing,” last season after an incorrect call. “I don’t understand why he’s doing these games,” said C.C. Sabathia in 2018. So it seems like the baseball world might be rejoicing at the retirement of this controversial umpire. Still, one can’t help but understand Angel Hernandez’s frustrations. 

It isn’t easy to face such harsh criticisms like he did for 20+ years. So hopefully his next endeavors will prove to be much less noisy than what he’s leaving behind.