Umpire Angel Hernandez Sues Rob Manfred, MLB for Racial Discrimination

Major League Baseball umpire Angel Hernandez filed a lawsuit against MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and the league as a whole, alleging MLB has discriminated against minority umpires who were in line for promotions or work in the postseason. 

"The selection of these less qualified, white individuals over Hernandez was motivated by racial, national origin and/or ethnic considerations," lawyers representing Hernandez wrote in the lawsuit, per the Cincinnati Enquirer's James Pilcher. 

Hernandez claims Joe Torre's hiring as MLB's executive vice president of baseball operations coincided with a decline in Hernandez's performance rating. He said the issues go beyond Torre, alleging discrimination from the league office is a "much deeper and more troubling trend."

MLB spokesman John Blundell told Pilcher the league is aware of Hernandez's lawsuit but declined to provide additional comment.

Hernandez has worked in MLB since 1993. During that time, he has made two World Series appearances, most recently in 2005. The 55-year-old was also a part of the umpire crew for the 2016 National League Championship Series—his seventh time working a league championship series.

In an ESPN poll of 100 active MLB players in 2010, the players ranked Hernandez as the third-worst umpire in the league, behind C.B. Bucknor and Joe West.