Number: | 31 |
Pat Hoberg | |
Birth Date: | September 11, 1986 |
Birth Place: | Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. |
Debutleague: | MLB |
Debutyear: | March 31, 2014 |
Umpirecrew: | 18 |
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Highlights: | Special Assignments |
Patrick Hoberg (born September 11, 1986) is an American Major League Baseball (MLB) umpire. In the 2022 World Series he called the first ever “perfect game” by an umpire by not getting a single ball or strike call incorrect.
A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Hoberg graduated from Urbandale High School and Grand View University.[1]
Hoberg made his Major League debut in 2014, and was one of four umpires promoted to the full-time staff in February 2017, upon the retirements of Bob Davidson, John Hirschbeck, Jim Joyce, and Tim Welke.[2]
For the 2018 regular season he was found to be a Top 10 performing home plate umpire in terms of accuracy in calling balls and strikes. His error rate was 7.93 percent. This was based on a study conducted at Boston University where 372,442 pitches were culled and analyzed.[3]
On October 29, 2022, during Game 2 of the 2022 World Series, Hoberg called a "perfect game" with 129 of 129 taken pitches called correctly. Hoberg received widespread praise from both fans and commentators of baseball.[4]
On June 14, 2024, the MLB disciplined Hoberg following an investigation into Hoberg's violation of the league's gambling rules. It is unclear if MLB is claiming that Hoberg bet on baseball games, or if the suspension is related to some other alleged gambling situation. Hoberg is appealing the decision, and also denies having bet on baseball. He has not umpired any games during the 2024 season. [5]