Former MLB manager Bobby Valentine offers his perspective on the recent retirement of Angel Hernandez, a controversial umpire who faced significant criticism throughout his 30-year career. Valentine discusses the fairness of the criticism, Hernandez's positive qualities, and the importance of a strong clubhouse culture.
Former MLB player and manager Bobby Valentine has weighed in on the recent retirement of Angel Hernandez, a polarizing umpire who spent three decades in the major leagues.
In an interview on OutKick's "Hot Mic" show, Valentine discussed the criticism that Hernandez faced during his career, including accusations of inconsistency and bias. He acknowledged that Hernandez could have "bad days," but also highlighted his positive qualities, such as his generosity and willingness to help others.
"Angel was scrutinized, but I had the opportunity to go out with four Italian umpires… all who were on the same crew… when they were here in LA about a month ago, and I asked that. ‘Hey how about Angel? Do you guys get a lot of flack because of Angel's situation?' They went on to say that Angel is just one of those really good guys, the guy who would pick up the tab, the guy who would give to the charity that was needed, the guy to go out of his way to do good things," Valentine said.
He added that the spotlight on Hernandez may have been unfair, considering that all public figures face scrutiny.
However, Valentine also admitted that Hernandez had "a bad day or two." He recalled a game he managed in which Hernandez's calls seemed questionable.
"I managed a while ago and there wasn't really the grading system. It seemed to be there were times when Angel was having one of those days, sometimes he was perfect I thought during a game, but of course we must've been winning those games," Valentine stated.
Despite the criticism, Hernandez remained a fixture in MLB for three decades. He filed a lawsuit against the league in 2017, alleging discrimination, but it was eventually dismissed.
In his retirement statement, Hernandez expressed gratitude for his career and the opportunity to pursue his dream of umpiring in the major leagues. He also acknowledged the progress that has been made in the promotion of minorities in the profession.
Valentine, who finished his managerial career with 1,186 regular season wins, also shared his views on the importance of a strong clubhouse culture. He believes that winning breeds a positive atmosphere, while losing can lead to internal discord.
"There's always the question… what comes first, the clubhouse culture or the team winning?" Valentine told "Hot Mic."
"When the team winning, the guys at the end of the bench can't b----h because everything's going good and you'll be sounding like it's sour grapes. But when the team's not winning, then it's really easy for the guys who are down at the end of the bench to b----h and once that happens then you have bad clubhouse culture. I think it's something that comes from the result of the play on the field."
Valentine's insights provide a nuanced perspective on the controversial career of Angel Hernandez and the complexities of building a successful team culture in baseball.
