The baseball world was rocked earlier this week by the sudden retirement of one of the game’s most notorious figures. He wasn’t a player, a coach, or even an announcer. He was arguably the most hated MLB umpire to ever take the field. He was Ángel Hernández.
Every year, it seemed, when the season is young and everyone’s getting back into the swing of baseball, we are also quickly reminded just how bad Hernández can be. We’ve seen a torrent of articles over the years lambasting him for being as blind as a bat that stared at a solar eclipse for too long. Whether it’s an egregious missed strike or a ludicrous call on the bases, he found ways to embody the term “ump show.” It is rarely a good thing when casual fans know an umpire’s name, and Hernández has a near-perfect name ID. Just this year, he’s already been called out for wildly blown calls, with the creme de la creme being an entire-blown plate appearance against Wyatt Langford in a game between the Rangers and Astros.
Now, at 62 years old and with three decades of officiating behind him beginning in 1991, he called it quits. His last game came on May 9 between the Guardians and the White Sox. Beyond the general malice fans felt for Hernández, his health became an issue of late after a back injury kept him out of all but ten games last year.
In a retirement statement, shared via ESPN’s Jeff Passan, he reflected on his career, progress within the game, and his choice to be with his family.
“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. 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.”
Even in retirement, though, there’s still no shortage of animus for the umpire. For one, all the blown calls have earned the ire of not just fans, but long-time coaches and players like Bobby Valentine and Bryce Harper. His 2017 discrimination lawsuit against the league also didn’t help matters. Chuffed by the lack of postseason assignments or a promotion to crew chief despite his tenure, Hernández sued the league believing the decision was based on his race. That case was dismissed in 2021 and the appeal similarly failed last year. MLB, in its defense, cited numerous blown calls in key moments as proof that their actions were entirely justified.
With a career so defined by mistakes, I thought that the best way to honor Hernández was to compile five moments that show the notorious umpire in peak form. I understand and have discussed previously that umpires are much better than they used to be and even Hernández fits that bill, but the blown calls he’s made are still mind-boggling. It’s how we will all remember him, after all.
1998: Blowing a Game Between the Mets and Braves
Lest you believe that Hernández declined in his umpiring abilities over time, let’s look back at one of his worst calls and arguably the call that put him on the map as one of MLB’s worst. Mets fans might want to skip this one. During a 1998 game between New York and their hated rival the Atlanta Braves, Michael Tucker was sprinting home with a chance to walk off the game in Atlanta in the eleventh inning. However, an on-time throw to Mets catcher Mike Piazza and a tag to his foot seemed to gun him down at the plate. Hernández disagreed, however, ending the game 3-2 Atlanta and causing a furious tirade from both Piazza and Mets manager Bobby Valentine.
2001: Ángel Hernández v. Steve McMichael
Angering fans has always been a side effect of Hernández trying to do his job. During one game in 2001, however, he drew the ire of a city icon – Mongo. The Cubs were playing the Rockies at Wrigley Field and both teams had been suffering from Hernández’s brutal game calling. Cubs fans were particularly frustrated, however, when the umpire called third baseman Ron Coomer out on a play at the plate, despite replay showing that he was safe. When the seventh inning stretch came around, former Bears lineman Steve McMichael came into the booth to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” only to open by mocking Hernández and blowing kisses his way.
2013: “And ANOTHER Blown Call By Hernández!”
His strike zone may be brutal, but Hernández is also notoriously awful at making calls on the bases. During Game 3 of the 2018 ALDS, for example, he blew three calls at first base all before the end of the fourth inning. At least the replay review system was fully established at the time and was able to correct the umpire’s mistakes. The same could not be said in 2013 when Hernández nearly cost the White Sox a game through a massive mistake. After ruling Chicago’s runner out to complete a 6-4-3 double play and prevent a walk-off fielder’s choice, legendary announcer Ken “Hawk” Harrelson could only utter multiple no’s and remind viewers “He’s safe, and ANOTHER blown call by Hernández!”
2022: Kyle Schwarber Unleashes Fire and Fury
Hernández is a consistently inconsistent umpire and the frustration with his strike zone builds throughout a game. In 2022, Kyle Schwarber and the Phillies were sick of a night full of questionable calls at the plate. So when yet another came at an inopportune time in the 9th inning in a full count with Philadelphia down one run at home, Schwarber let loose an entire game’s worth of rage against Hernández on behalf of both teams. This is hardly Ángel’s worst work – it wasn’t too far off but clear enough that even Josh Hader could tell he got away with one – but it’s a showcase of how much anger he stokes within players.
2024: The Wyatt Langford Screwjob
And so we reach the present day and return to where we started this article. It’s fitting. In his final year, despite not making it through an entire season, Hernández delivered what I consider his worst showing ever and made history in the process. Three straight missed balls to Langford, each one worse than the last with the final setting an Umpire Auditor record for the furthest strike called outside the zone. That is a fitting crowning achievement for an official so bemoaned, and one final reminder of how Hernández could completely take the wind out of a pivotal moment in the game.
There is a part of me that will miss Hernández in the game. Umpires aren’t who we come to watch, sure, but figures like him and “Cowboy” Joe West, for as hated as they are, do add some color to the history. Their absence is felt, whether I personally like them or not. And again, umpiring is hard. That’s why the eventual Automated Ball/Strike Zone is so necessary, however it’s implemented.
And so I say to you, Ángel Hernández, good night, sweet prince, and three blind mice sing thee to thy rest.
Bunting For Power 