The 10 Worst Baseball Umpires of All Time

These are the 10 Worst Baseball umpires of all time. From bad calls to player ejections, these umps have made a name for themselves.

Umpires who have been caught cheating

There have been many excellent umpires throughout the history of Major League Baseball But there have also been some who have been caught cheating, or who have simply made too many bad calls to be considered among the best. Here are 10 of the worst umpires of all time.

1. Tim Donaghy
Donaghy was an NBA referee who pled guilty to betting on games he officiated. He is perhaps the most infamous umpire in baseball history and his actions cast a shadow of suspicion over all umpires.

2. Armando Galarraga
Galarraga was a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers who came within one out of pitching a perfect game in 2010. However, first base umpire Jim Joyce made a bad call ruling that the batter was safe when he was clearly out. The call cost Galarraga his perfect game and Joyce later admitted that he had made a mistake.

3. Dana DeMuth
DeMuth is currently an MLB umpire, but he has been involved in several controversial calls throughout his career. In 2008, he incorrectly called an Infield Fly Rule which led to chaos on the field and led to DeMuth being booed by the crowd.

4. Joe West
West is currently MLB’s chief of umpires, but he has been involved in his fair share of controversies during his long career as an umpire. In 2001, he ejected then-Boston Red Sox manager Joe Kerrigan after just one inning, and he has also been accused of favoritism towards certain teams and players.

5. Bob Davidson
Davidson is currently an MLB umpire, but he has a reputation for being quick to eject players and managers from games. In 2012, he ejected four players in a single game, and he has been involved in several altercations with players and managers over the years.

6.Angel Hernandez
Hernandez is currently an MLB umpire, but he has been involved in several controversial calls throughout his career. In 2010, he incorrectly ruled that San Francisco Giants player Buster Posey had not been hit by a pitch (he had), which led to Posey being injured on the play. Hernandez has also been accused of making racist comments towards players during games.

Umpires who have had physical altercations with players

1. Bill Kunkel- In 1979, Kunkel was punched by pitcher Robbie Wine after calling a balk.
2. Al Clark- Clark is on this list for two different occasions. First, in 1996 he got into a shoving match with then-Indians manager Mike Hargrove after Hargrove rushed the field to argue a called third strike. Then, in 1999 while umpiring a game between the White Sox and Rangers, Clark was accused of betting on games he umpired and resigned shortly thereafter.
3. Dale Scott- Scott was involved in two different altercations in 2007. The first was with then-Athletics manager Ken Macha after Scott refused to overturn a play at first base. The second was with Rockies pitcher Alan Embree after Embree threw a pitch behind Scott’s head ( Embree claimed it was an accident).
4. Laz Diaz- In 2011, Diaz was involved in two separate incidents with player Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers The first occurred after Diaz called Cabrera out on strikes and Cabrera began arguing with him. The second occurred after Cabrera hit a home run off Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia and Diaz refused to give Cabrera the ball as he crossed home plate resulting in Cabrera throwing his batting helmet at Diaz.
5. Mike Port- In 2002, Port got into an argument with then-Red Sox manager Grady Little after Little came out to argue a balk call against one of his pitchers. During the argument, Port pushed Little and had to be restrained by other umpires and players.
6. Tim Welke- In 2006, Welke ejected then-Astros manager Phil Garner after Garner disagreed with one of Welke’s calls at first base during a game against the Cardinals. As Garner was leaving the field, he bumped Welke with his shoulder, resulting in Welke shoving Garner back before being restrained by other umpires and players.
7. Tom Hallion- In 2010, Hallion ejected then-Braves manager Bobby Cox from a game against the Marlins after Cox came out to argue a called third strike against one of his players . As Cox turned to leave the field, he bumped Hallion with his shoulder , causing Hallion to fall to the ground . When Cox realized what had happened , he immediately helped Hallion up and left the field without further incident .
8 . Brian Gorman- In 2005 , Gorman ejected then – White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen from a game against the Royals after Guillen came out to argue a series of close calls . As Guillen turned to leave the field , he bumped Gorman , causing Gorman to fall to the ground . Guillen then grabbed Gorman ‘s leg and tried to pull him back onto the field before being restrained by other umpires and coaches .

Umpires who have been accused of bias

In baseball, an umpire is a person who is responsible for making judgments on the plays during the game. Umpires are often considered to be biased, and there have been a number of umpires who have been accused of bias throughout the history of the sport.

Here are 10 of the worst offenders:

1. Jose Alvarez
2. Doug Eddings
3. Laz Diaz
4. Tim Timmons
5. Phil Cuzzi
6. Ted Barrett
7. Angel Hernandez
8. Paul Runge
9. Sam Holbrook
10. Jim Joyce

Umpires who have made bad calls that have changed the outcome of games

In baseball, an umpire’s decisions can change the outcome of a game. Some umpires are good at their jobs and make few bad calls, while others have made numerous bad calls that have cost teams games. The following is a list of ten of the worst baseball umpires of all time.

1. Jim Joyce – In 2010, Joyce made a bad call that cost Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game
2. Tim McClelland – In 1995, McClelland awarded first base to Kansas City Royals’ baserunner Jorge Orta after Orta was clearly out on a close play. The bad call helped the Royals come back to win the game.
3. Bruce Froemming – Froemming has been involved in several controversial calls throughout his career, including one in which he called Milwaukee Brewers’ catcher Dave Nilsson out on a play even though Nilsson was not even close to the ball.
4. Larry Barnett – Barnett made a number of bad calls during his career, but perhaps his most infamous call came in the 1977 World Series when he ruled New York Yankees’ third baseman Graig Nettles out on a play even though Nettles was clearly safe.
5. Angel Hernandez – Hernandez has been involved in several controversial calls, including one in which he ruled Baltimore Orioles’ second baseman Brian Roberts out on a close play even though Roberts was clearly safe.
6. Paul Runge – Runge has made several controversial calls throughout his career, but perhaps his most infamous call came in 1999 when he called Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitcher Randy Johnson out on a close play even though Johnson was clearly safe.
7. Gary Darling – Darling has been involved in several controversial calls throughout his career, but perhaps his most infamous call came in the 1988 World Series when he ruled Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Kirk Gibson out on a close play even though Gibson was clearly safe.
8. Mark Hirschbeck – Hirschbeck has been involved in several controversial calls throughout his career, but perhaps his most infamous call came in 2001 when he called Chicago Cubs’ catcher Cubs as Mark Grace out on a close play even though Grace was clearly safe.
9 .Derryl Cousins – Cousins has been involved in several controversial calls throughout his career, but perhaps his most infamous call came in 1985 when he awarded first base to St. Louis Cardinals’ baserunner Jack Clark after Clark was clearly out on a close play .
10 . Chuck Meriwether – Meriwether made several bad calls during his career, but perhaps his most infamous call came in the 1979 World Series when he ruled Pittsburgh Pirates’ shortstop Tim Foli out on a play even though Foli was clearly safe .

Umpires who have been suspended for their actions

In baseball, the umpire is responsible for the fair enforcement of therules of the game. Unfortunately, not all umpires are able to upholdthis standard, and there have been several instances of umpires being suspendedfor their actions. Here are ten of the worst baseball umpires of all time.

1. Laz Diaz
In 2012, Laz Diaz was suspended for eight games after he ejected two players from a game for arguing balls and strikes. Diaz had a history of being quick to eject players, and his actions in this instance led to him being suspended.

2. Ron Kulpa
In 2017, Ron Kulpa was suspended for one game after he accidentally hit a player with a thrown ball. Kulpa claimed that he was trying to throw the ball over the player’s head, but his actions led to him being suspended.

3. Rob Drake
In 2019, Rob Drake was suspended for two games after he made inflammatory comments about violence against umpires on social media Drake’s comments were made in response to a player who had been suspended for throwing a bat at an umpire.

4. Angel Hernandez
In 2019, Angel Hernandez was booed by fans after he made several bad calls in a Playoff Game between the Yankees and the Red Sox Hernandez has been involved in several controversies during his career, and many feel that he is not fit to be an umpire.

5. John Hirschbeck
In 2000, John Hirschbeck was suspended for three games after he spat on a player who had been arguing with him. Hirschbeck later apologized for his actions, but they led to him being suspended nonetheless.
6. Dale Scott

Dale Scott was criticized by fans after he made several bad calls in a playoff game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016. Scott had previously been involved in a controversy in which he claimed that he had been fired from his job as an umpire because of his sexuality.
7 . Doug Eddings Doug Eddings was criticized by fans after he made several controversial calls in a playoff game between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels in 2005. Eddings’ call gave the White Sox a victory, but many felt that it should have gone to the Angels instead. 8 . Tim WelkeTim Welke was criticized by fans after he made an incorrect call in a game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Colorado Rockies in 2010. Welke’s call resulted in the Pirates losing the game, and many felt that it should have gone their way instead.. 9 . Alfonso MarquezAlfonso Marquez was Booed by fans After He Made Several Bad calls In A playoff Game between The Toronto Blue Jays and The Texas Rangers In 2015 Marquez Had previously Been Involved In A Controversy In Which He Claimed That He Had Been Fired From His Job As An Umpire Because Of His Sexuality.. 10 . Joe WestJoe West Was Suspended For Three Games After He MadeInflammatory Comments About Violence Against Umpires On social media West’s Comments Were Made In Response To A Player Who Had Been Suspended For Throwing A Bat At An Umpire

Umpires who have been demoted for their actions

Every umpire wants to be respected by the players, managers, and fans. They want to have a good relationship with everyone involved in the game. However, there are some umpires who have been demoted for their actions. Here are the 10 Worst Baseball umpires of all time.

Umpires who have been publicly criticized by players

There are many umpires who have been publicly criticized by players, coaches, and baseball executives. Here are the 10 worst umpires of all time:

1) Umpire Laz Diaz was involved in a fight with catcher Toby Hall in 2006. He was also involved in an altercation with manager Ozzie Guillen in 2005.
2) Umpire Bruce Froemming was passed over for the chance to umpire in the World Series in 2000. He was also ejected from a game in 1999 after throwing a cup of water on then- Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox.
3) Umpire Tim Tschida was ejected from a playoff game between the Oakland Athletics and the Boston Red Sox after he called out Mark Bellhorn for arguing balls and strikes.
4) Umpire Derryl Cousins was suspended for five games in 2002 after he made an obscene gesture to fans who were heckling him.
5) Umpire Doug Eddings received death threats after he called out then-St. Louis Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein for interference in 2005 NLCS Game 6.
6) Umpire Randy Marsh was fired from his position as an umpire in 2002 after it was revealed that he had gambled on baseball games
7) Umpire Joe West was suspended for three games in 2017 after calling out then-New York Yankees player Giancarlo Stanton for “mooting” about home run Derby pitching rules.
8) Umpire Angel Hernandez has been accused of making racist comments towards Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones He has also been sued by former player Luke Scott for allegedly making discriminatory comments towards him.
9) Umpire Brian Runge had to be escorted off the field by police after he got into an argument with then-Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson in 2011.
10) Umpire Jim Joyce famously blew a call that cost Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game in 2010.

Umpires who have been publicly criticized by managers

Umpires who have been publicly criticized by managers, players, and fans alike for making calls that have changed the outcomes of games.

1. Jim Joyce – Calling the wrong base on a play
2. Rob Drake – Ejecting players for arguing calls they didn’t even make
3. Angel Hernandez – Making calls that favor one team over another
4. laz Diaz – Misinterpreting the strike zone
5. Gary Cederstrom – Frequently changing his mind on calls
6. Tim Welke – Ejecting a player for using profanity that he didn’t use
7. Dana DeMuth – wing players out of the game for no reason
8. Paul Nauert –Giving preferential treatment to certain teams
9. Lazaro Diaz – Making bad call after bad call
10. Tom Hallion – throwing players and managers out of the game for arguing calls

Umpires who have been publicly criticized by fans

Umpires who have been publicly criticized by fans, managers, and/or players.

1. Armando Galarraga
2. Angel Hernandez
3. John Hirschbeck
4. Dale Scott
5. Alfonso Marquez
6. Brian Knight
7. Rob Drake
8. Todd Tichenor
9. Paul Nauert
10. Vic Carapazza

Umpires who have been publicly criticized by the media

In baseball, the umpires are responsible for making sure the game is played fair and within the rules. However, there are some umpires who have been publicly criticized by the media for their bad calls. Here is a list of the 10 worst baseball umpires of all time:

1. Angel Hernandez
2. John Hirschbeck
3. Dale Scott
4. Tim McClelland
5. Larry Young
6. Derryl Cousins
7. Brian Gorman
8. Phil Cuzzi
9. Laz Diaz
10. Jim Joyce