Umpire Angel Hernandez files racial discrimination suit against MLB

Veteran umpire Angel Hernandez is suing commissioner Rob Manfred and Major League Baseball for alleged racial discrimination, according to James Pilcher of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Hernandez's suit states the umpire has been rejected on numerous occasions to work World Series games despite receiving positive reviews, and has yet to be made a permanent crew chief despite applying for the position on four separate occasions. Hernandez, who was born in Cuba, also alleges that MLB has allowed just one non-white umpire to work a World Series game since 2011.

"The selection of these less qualified, white individuals over Hernandez was motivated by racial, national origin and/or ethnic considerations," his lawsuit states, according to Pilcher.

League spokersperson John Blundell admitted the league has been made aware of the lawsuit, though he did not comment further, per Pilcher.

Hernandez's lawsuit goes on to cite current chief baseball officer Joe Torre for publicly criticizing Hernandez's quality in 2001, though it does not put the blame for the suit on Torre himself, who was hired in 2011.

"Torre took to the media to insult him and call into question his skill as a Major League umpire," the lawsuit states.

"Though it may seem as if Major League Baseball’s problems with Hernandez begin and end with some personal animus Torre and some other individuals in the Office of the Commissioner may have towards Hernandez, an overview of how Major League Baseball has treated minorities such as Hernandez shows a much deeper and more troubling trend."

Hernandez last worked in a World Series contest in 2005, appearing in all four games as the Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros.