Controversial umpire Angel Hernandez announces immediate retirement from 3-decade-long MLB career

MLB umpire Angel Hernandez will leave the diamond after three decades of service. The MLB and Hernandez were in talks in the last few weeks to discuss a financial settlement, and it seems like they found the middle ground last weekend, per USA Today.

Hernandez confirmed his retirement with an heartfelt statement on 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. There is nothing better than working at a profession that you enjoy. I treasured the camaraderie of my colleagues and the friendships | 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."

In his statement, Angel Hernandez cited spending more time with his family and friends as the reason to retire.

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Angel Hernandez's tenure in MLB will be remembered as a controversial one

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It wouldn't be an overstatement, but many players weren't happy with the calls Angel Hernandez has made behind the plate. His calls on strike and ball were always the subject of discussion, especially in the later half of his career.

According to the umpire auditor, Hernandez made a wrong decision on 161 strike-ball calls last season when he could only call 10 games due to a back injury. Many pitchers have been vocal and showed their dissent for the retiring umpire:

“Angel was horrible," Pedro Martinez said in 2018. “Don’t get me going on Angel now. Major League Baseball needs to do something about Angel. It doesn’t matter how many times he sues Major League Baseball, he’s as bad as there is."

“I don’t understand why he’s doing these games. He’s always bad. He’s a bad umpire," Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia said.

The Cuban native started his officiating journey when he was just 20 and worked in the Flordia State League. In 1993, the MLB promoted him to a full-time official.