The worst umpires in MLB are decided based on several factors. For example, calling rate, accuracy, consistency, and so on. Undoubtedly, all the umpires try hard and soul to provide the best accuracy, consistency, and calling rate. But, some of the umpires failed and are listed as the worst umpires.
However, CB Bucknor, Angel Hernandez, and Doug Eddings are one of the worst umpires in MLB because of their lowest accuracy and consistency. Moreover, Ed Hickox, Laz Diaz, Rob Drake, and some other players are also listed as the worst umpires in major league baseball.
You should keep reading to get detailed information about these 10 worst umpires in the major league. They are selected based on their accuracy, consistency, and calling rate. So, keep reading.
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Table of Worst Umpires in MLB & Their Rank
Before going to read the article in detail, you can check out this table and get a quick view. From this table, you will discover the worst umpire ranks so that you can get a clear list.
Note this table is made based on my research. I hope it helps you easily understand about the top worst umpire in the major leagues.
| Rank | Worst Umpire Name |
| 1 | CB Bucknor |
| 2 | Angel Hernandez |
| 3 | Doug Eddings |
| 4 | Ed Hickox |
| 5 | Laz Diaz |
| 6 | Rob Drake |
| 7 | Brian O’Nora |
| 8 | Dan Bellino |
| 9 | Ron Kulpa |
| 10 | Andy Fletcher |
10 Worst Umpires in MLB (Why Are They Worst in MLB Umpires?)
This section helps you to get the 10 worst umpires in detail so that you can get the ins and outs information about these 10 umpires. So, without talking more, let’s get started.
1. CB Bucknor
CB Bucknor is my first selected worst umpire in major league baseball. According to Umpscorecards, his accuracy rate is 92.8% which is enough to make him one of the worst umpires without any doubts.
Moreover, he is also known as the worst umpire for his lower consistency. In August 2022, he argued with Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol after CB Bucknor was called the first pitch strike Nolan Arenado.
In most recent Spring training, Bucknor refused to shake hands with Mamol and was blasted for lacking class. For this incident, MLB launched an investigation. This one also makes him the worst umpire in MLB.
These major reasons make CB Bucknor the worst umpire and listed in the first position. However, CB Bucknor’s uniform number is 54, and he wore this number uniform in MLB.
2. Angel Hernandez
Based on this performance, I keep Angel Hernandez’s second-worst umpire on my list. Angel ranked in second position because of his lowest average consistency in the 2022 MLB season.
He not only failed to bring perfect accuracy but also failed to bring better consistency. The fans of Angle is not pleased with his performance in the entire season.
Baseball fans believe that the main problem of Hernandez is always umpiring at stuff that needs to be home plate. Since 2005, Angel is not umpired in World Series games. Similarly, MLB overturned three times which also makes him the worst umpire.
Though he is the second worst umpire on my list, he has been doing umpiring for nearly 3-decades and gets so many fans who always support him. However, the accuracy rate of this umpire consistency is 92.8%.
3. Doug Eddings
Doug Eddings is not free from controversy in his career. In his last season, his strike accuracy rate is 64% (source: https://ftw.usatoday.com/). The score of Doug is truly horrifying after the game. That is the major reason which makes him the worst umpire.
Moreover, he missed 26 ball-strike calls. In 2022, Eddings ranked no.1 when it came with the lowest average consistency and number 8 with the lowest accuracy.
The fans of Doug are not satisfied with his performance last season. Their accuracy and consistency are truly lowest enough, making him the worst umpire in major league baseball (MLB).
4. Ed Hickox
Ed Hickox is a 32-aged career umpire in MLB. Baseball fans questioned what a 32-year-long career umpire gets wrong. Moreover, they also question his performance and attention.
Ed ranked number 4th in the lowest average of consistency in the 2022 season. Moreover, he also brings the number 5th in the lowest consistency. Yankees fans go against his umpiring in the 2022 season. The fans wanted to call Ed a strike which goes against Marwin Gonzalez on a pitch.
It is not only a mistake, but he also made other truly frustrating mistakes. So, it is clearly said that the accuracy, consistency, performance, and decisions made him the worst umpire in MLB without any doubts.
5. Laz Diaz
Let’s welcome Laz Diaz, which takes the 5th worst umpire position on this list. Laz Diaz has been umpiring since 1995, and baseball fans often call him a mock umpire on the internet.
In the 2022 season, Laz earned the 7th-lowest accuracy and 5th-lowest consistency rankings. Moreover, one of his astonishing calls came in the match which occurred between Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners.
During the game, Laz lost counts, and he called 3-1 instead of 2-2, which is a major mistake. Moreover, he also made other mistakes in the game that fans didn’t pleasant.
The uniform number of this umpire is 63. He always wore this uniform and did umpire on the MLB. After analyzing his career, I take him in the 5th position as the worst umpire.
6. Rob Drake
In the 2022 Texas vs Blue Jays game Rob Drake was counted as one of the worst umpires in MLB. Why? Because Drake miss 21 calls, and the correct call rate of this umpire is 86.5%, which makes him the worst in his umpire career.
He debuted on September 3, 1999, at the age of 54. He has umpired four league championship series and continued umpiring for two decades. Though he has a long career, he doesn’t perform well.
For example, he earned 10 rank by his lowest consistency rate. Moreover, he also had the lowest accuracy in his 2022 umpiring and was ranked 3rd. Rob is also called one of the most controversial umpires in MLB.
He began the controversy in the 2022 Oakland Athletics and Baltimore Orioles game. Rob called Mancini out though he safely reached the first base. These are the major points that make this umpire worst enough.
7. Brian O’Nora
Brian O’Nora is a veteran umpire who debuted his career as an umpire in 1992. Moreover, he is the number 7 worst umpire on my list. Why is Brian the worst umpire in MLB? Let’s find out about it.
First of all, he is responsible for the worst calling. In 2021, he called ten and nine wrong, which makes him the worst umpire. Moreover, he did the worst umpiring between the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers.
The correct call rate of this umpire is 83.5%. Brian called against Marcell Ozuna several times. Ozuna did protest, but he couldn’t do anything against Brian. However, Brian does better in his 2022 umpiring than 2021 season.
8. Dan Bellino
Dan Bellino and his incident with Madison Baumgarner created controversy among baseball fans. Though he apologized later on, the Arizona Diamondbacks started the pitcher Baumgarner didn’t have it.
However, Dan debuted his career in baseball in 2008, and included some controversial decisions. Their accuracy and consistency are also the lowest, which makes him the worst umpire in the major league, without any doubt.
He also tried to eject a player. Many baseball players don’t love his attitude toward his decision. After analyzing his career, I keep him at the 8-position on my worst umpire list.
9. Ron Kulpa
Last season, Ron Kulpa ranked 14th position for his lowest accuracy in the MLB. Moreover, he also earned the lowest rank for his lowest consistency in the major league.
Ron has been officiating MLB games for the past 24 seasons, and he doesn’t do umpiring perfectly. Several Astros players are unhappy with his call because of the wrong call during the game.
Similarly, Kulpa lost his cool and issued a dismissive backhand to the player. In the 2021 season, Ron earned some respect from his fans because he did the right call in his previous seasons.
Ron is my list’s number 9 worst player because of his lowest accuracy and consistency. No doubt, he needs to improve his calling cate to get rid of the worst umpire list.
10. Andy Fletcher
Andy Fletcher made his debut in 1999. In 2023, Andy will be his 24th year on the plate. But, he started his controversy for his horrendous call against Dalton Guthrie in the match which occurred against Braves in September.
In the 2022 MLB season, Fletcher ranked 13th for the lowest accuracy and earned 7th position for the lowest consistency. He has more than two decades of experience, and the fans are not satisfied with his umpiring.
Though Andy is the worst umpire in the major league, he also earns some respect. For this reason, Andy takes number 10 positions on my list as the worst umpire.
Who Is the Worst Umpire in The MLB?
Ángel Hernández is the worst umpire in the MLB. In July 2017, Hernández did the lowest accuracy and the lowest consistency. Moreover, Angel has also created several controversies, making him the worst umpire in the major league.
Hernández wore number 5 while he was umpiring in the National League. According to the major league baseball association, Angel ranked 31st out of 36 umpires, the league’s lowest.
In 2006 and 2011, he was listed third-worst umpire in Sports Illustrated player polls. This umpire’s calling rate, lowest accuracy, and consistency makes him one of the worst umpire in the MLB.
Source: Wikipedia
FAQs (Frequently Ask Questions)
Q: Can MLB umpires be fired?
Answer: The answer is no. The umpires are not fired for their bad calls or the lowest accuracy and the lowest consistency. In baseball history, no umpires are fired for their bad call or doing the worst umpiring in MLB.
Q: Can MLB umpires eject anyone?
Answer: Each of the umpires have the authority at his discretion to eject from the playing field. MLB umpires have always followed some rules, and the authority gives them the power to eject anyone after following the rules and regulations.
Q: How often are MLB umpires wrong?
Answer: The error rates of the MLB umpires in the last decades (2008 to 2018) averaged 12.78%. However, it is tricky to say how often MLB umpires are wrong because they are doing wrong calls at different rates in different seasons.
Wrapping Up!
The worst umpires in MLB created controversy in the game. They also need to make better calls and have the lowest accuracy and consistency. After analyzing their career, they are selected as the worst umpires. The above 10 umpires are undoubtedly the worst in MLB because of their lowest accuracy, consistency, and wrong call rates.
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Hello everyone. My name is Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player. I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego.
I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit.