Umpire Ángel Hernández’s racial discrimination lawsuit against Major League Baseball (MLB) has been dismissed by a federal appeals court, marking another loss for Hernández in his legal battle. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a 2021 District Court decision that granted MLB a summary judgment. Hernández, a Cuban-born umpire who joined the league in 1993, filed the lawsuit in 2017, claiming discrimination based on his lack of World Series assignments and failure to be promoted to crew chief.
The 2nd Circuit, in an 11-page decision, stated that Hernández had failed to provide evidence of a statistically significant difference between the promotion rates of white and minority umpires. MLB presented compelling expert evidence showing that there was no statistically significant disparity in crew chief promotion rates between white and minority umpires during the relevant years. The court found Hernández’s failure to challenge MLB’s statistical evidence or offer any reasoning for its unreliability as detrimental to his case.
The decision was rendered by U.S. Circuit Judges Susan L. Carney and Steven J. Menash, who had heard oral arguments on June 8. Unfortunately, the panel’s third member, Circuit Judge Rosemary S. Pooler, had passed away prior to the decision. In their written opinion, the panel refuted Hernández’s claim that former MLB executive Joe Torre harbored animosity towards him since Torre’s tenure as the New York Yankees manager. The panel found no evidence indicating that Torre’s criteria for crew chief promotion decisions led to the alleged disparity between white and minority crew chiefs. Additionally, Hernández provided no substantial proof of a racial bias on Torre’s part.
Nicholas R. Gregg, Hernández’s lawyer, has not yet responded to requests for comment. Hernández may have the option to request a hearing of the full New York-based 2nd Circuit or seek a review from the U.S. Supreme Court. It remains to be seen whether Hernández will pursue these avenues. As the umpire approaches his 62nd birthday next week, his career and legal battle hang in the balance.
While Hernández’s lawsuit may have highlighted issues of diversity and representation within MLB umpiring, the league has made progress in recent years. Kerwin Danley became the first Black crew chief in 2020, and Alfonso Marquez became the first Hispanic crew chief born outside the United States during the same year. Notably, Richie Garcia, a Florida-born umpire, became the first Hispanic crew chief in 1985. These milestones demonstrate MLB’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity within its umpiring ranks.
Hernández has faced scrutiny and controversy during his time on the field. In Game 3 of the 2018 AL Division Series between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, Hernández had three calls at first base overturned after video reviews. These incidents further added to the criticism surrounding the umpire. While Hernández’s on-field performance and the outcome of his discrimination lawsuit are separate matters, they have contributed to public perceptions of his abilities and credibility.
Ángel Hernández’s racial discrimination lawsuit against Major League Baseball has been dismissed by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The court found no substantial evidence to support Hernández’s claims of discrimination based on promotion rates and alleged biases held by former executive Joe Torre. The decision has implications for Hernández’s future and adds to the ongoing discussions about diversity and representation within MLB umpiring. As the league continues its efforts to foster inclusivity, the outcome of this case serves as a reminder of the challenges faced on and off the field.
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