There aren't many things that unite all baseball fans around one opinion. Hating Angel Hernandez is one of them.
There are a lot of terrible umpires currently employed by MLB but Hernandez was the worst of the worst. His inability to call balls strikes and strikes balls was unrivaled behind the plate. And he was always good for an awful, game-changing call from the bases.
Looking at who will be the home plate umpire and groaning upon seeing Hernandez's name has been a universal experience for decades now. But no more.
On Monday, Bob Nightengale reported that Hernandez is set to retire on Tuesday.
If you're wondering why you're hearing fireworks more than a month before the Fourth of July, you've got your answer. The celebrations on Monday night will be as close to the feeling of winning a World Series as many baseball fans will ever experience.
Best memes and tweets after Angel Hernandez retirement
Any time a legendary figure retires, it's best to look back at what made them great. Or in Angel Hernandez's case, infamous.
So first, let's walk down memory lane:
Angel Hernandez is retiring.
— Luke Arcaini (@ArcainiLuke) May 28, 2024
Never forget one of the most legendary exchanges between a player and an umpire. Schwarber absolutely lost it😂 https://t.co/JLIzFEZ7fs pic.twitter.com/6DPLVUdKCV
In honor of Angel Hernandez retiring, enjoy this compilation of him making trash calls. pic.twitter.com/xyCVmmG5BG
— Baseball King (@BasebaIlKing) May 28, 2024
Last August we summarized Angel Hernandez as best we could
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) May 28, 2024
Now he’s retiring pic.twitter.com/xv9dqiJFHa
Nobody will enjoy Angel Hernandez’s retirement more than Hawk Harrelson
— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) May 28, 2024
pic.twitter.com/l9rJk7pomb
** NEW UMPIRE AUDITOR RECORD **
— Umpire Auditor (@UmpireAuditor) April 13, 2024
Umpire Angel Hernandez rang up Wyatt Langford on three consecutive pitches out of the zone.
The strikeout pitch missed outside by 6.78 inches.
This was the largest miss on a called strikeout in Umpire Auditor history. pic.twitter.com/BWmizkDsmD
Could this be the last Angel Hernandez blunder? Don’t let the door hit you on the way out pic.twitter.com/Bb5FuBtGZJ
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) May 28, 2024
In honor of Angel Hernandez's retirement, here is the best costume in the history of Halloween pic.twitter.com/FXreaDhwvr
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) May 28, 2024
And now, the celebrations:
Not to be dramatic but the announcement of Angel Hernandez retiring is the single greatest piece of news in the history of the sports world
— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) May 28, 2024
“Angel Hernandez has retired”
— Zach Bollinger (@zachbollinger18) May 28, 2024
Everyone who has ever been a fan of baseball: pic.twitter.com/FfNMUOYUBe
MLB players saying goodbye to Angel Hernandez after he announced his retirement. pic.twitter.com/s5yZFmlP5c
— Zach Bollinger (@zachbollinger18) May 28, 2024
Baseball twitter reading “Angel Hernandez is retiring” pic.twitter.com/gr4EIa6QTq
— Madyson (@Majorleaguemadd) May 28, 2024
MLB fans reading that Angel Hernandez retired pic.twitter.com/XU5N85qiTn
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) May 28, 2024
For this brief moment, all is right in the universe. Baseball got a little bit better today folks.
Hernandez hasn't had many opportunities to ruin games with his calls recently. He hasn't worked as a home-plate umpire since May 9 when the White Sox beat the Guardians. Those were the last teams to experience an Angel game.
This retirement doesn't end MLB's long nightmare with umpires. The likes of CB Bucknor, Hunter Wendlestedt, Laz Diaz and others still go out there night after night and make the game all about them. After all, it wasn't Hernandez who ended the recent White Sox-Orioles game on the worst infield interference call you'll ever see.