Of the cardinal sins in the game of baseball, betting on the game sits at #1. Just ask Pete Rose. An Iowa native and MLB umpire has been fired for his role in gambling on the game of baseball.

KWWL reports that Major League Baseball opened up its investigation into umpire Pat Hoberg last February when it was brought to its attention by a sports book. Hoberg was suspended and didn't umpire a game last season. An ongoing investigation eventually revealed that Hoberg shared his legal sports gambling accounts with a friend, who then bet on baseball. He also reportedly deleted messages involving the league's investigation.

While MLB said that the investigation did not reveal that Hoberg personally bet on baseball or manipulated games, KWWL reports that MLB officials recommended he be fired. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred upheld that decision and Hoberg's firing was official as of Monday.

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Hoberg is a native of Des Moines and attended Urbandale High School and then Grand View University. He made his major league debut in 2014. KWWL reports that Hoberg was among the highest-rated umpires at judging the strike zone. He even got to call a perfect game in 2022.

Hoberg can apply for reinstatement to MLB no sooner than spring training of the 2026 season.

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