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Angel Hernandez to retire immediately

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Angel Hernandez to retire immediately

Baseball’s most controversial umpire is calling it a career. Angel Hernandez, who has been criticized by many in the game for decades, will retire.

MLB first approached Hernandez about the possibility of retiring earlier this season, according a baseball source. The criticism had gotten louder, and Hernandez was amenable to moving on. He hasn’t umped a game since May 9, as the two sides worked out a financial agreement.

“He was NOT forced out,” Hernandez’s lawyer, Kevin Murphy, told The Athletic via text message. His departure is expected to happen immediately.

Hernandez umped his first MLB game in 1991. Over the last decade, he’s been a constant source of controversy. From his large and inconsistent strike zone, to his quick ejections, to unsuccessfully suing MLB for discrimination in 2017, he’s created headlines in a profession where most prefer to not be noticed.

USA Today first reported his retirement. Shortly after the news broke Monday night, MLB released a statement from Hernandez confirming his retirement.

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“Starting with my first Major League game in 1991, I have had the very good experience of living out my childhood dream of umpiring in the major leagues,” the statement read. “There is nothing better than working at a profession that you enjoy. I treasured the camaraderie of my colleagues and the friendships I have made along the way, including our locker room attendants in all the various cities.

“I have decided that I want to spend more time with my family. Needless to say, there have been many positive changes in the game of baseball since I first entered the profession. This includes the expansion and promotion of minorities. I am proud that I was able to be an active participant in that goal while being a Major League umpire.”

Beyond what Hernandez referenced in his statement, it is unclear what led Hernandez’s decision, though it’s possible the vitriol directed his way played a role.

“What hurts him the most,” Murphy told The Athletic in a recent profile, “is the pain that his two daughters and his wife go through when they know (the criticism) is so unbelievably undeserved.”

Part of the reason the league approached Hernandez was the consistent distraction he caused. Players around the game have long called for Hernandez to leave the industry.

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“Every year. It’s the same story,” Bryce Harper said last season. “Same thing.”

“He needs to find another job,” Ian Kinsler said in 2017.

“I don’t understand why he’s doing these games,” C.C. Sabathia said in 2018.

Even MLB was critical of Hernandez, though that criticism largely came through court filings. They stated that his decision making and handling of conflicts prevented him from getting promoted to a full-time crew chief position.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred alluded to the retirement process for umpires while speaking to reporters at MLB’s owners meetings last week, though he didn’t directly mention Hernandez.

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“The management of umpires is … a physically demanding job,” Manfred said. “It goes beyond just the evaluation, training and discipline. It also goes to things like thinking about their career path, how long should they be out there? And that implicates things like your retirement program.”

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(Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)

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Vikings dismiss GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after four seasons following latest playoff miss

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Vikings dismiss GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after four seasons following latest playoff miss

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For the second time in four years, the Minnesota Vikings failed to advance to the NFL playoffs. While a 9-8 record in 2025 brought no immediate changes, Vikings ownership announced a major move Friday.

In a statement, Vikings co-owners and brothers Zygi and Mark Wilf said the organization decided to part ways with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

“Following our annual end-of-season organizational meetings over the last several weeks and after careful consideration, we have decided it is in the best interest of the team to move forward with new leadership of our football operations. These decisions are never easy. We are grateful for Kwesi’s contributions and commitment to the organization over the past four years and wish him and his family the best in the future.”

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Then-Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Matt Krohn/Imagn Images)

The Wilfs also announced that Rob Brzezinski, the Vikings’ executive vice president of football operations, would be in charge of the front office through April’s NFL Draft. Shortly after the draft, the franchise will launch its search for its next full-time general manager.

2026 NFL OFFSEASON BUZZ, RUMORS: FALCONS REPORTEDLY RELEASING QB KIRK COUSINS

Adofo-Mensah spoke with the media for an end-of-season press conference on Jan. 13. He was seen carrying out routine general managerial duties this week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Just seven months earlier, the Vikings announced a multiyear contract extension for Adofo-Mensah.

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo‐Mensah during the NFL combine at the Indiana Convention Center on Feb. 28, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)

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While he was credited with building a roster that finished with winning records in three of his four seasons as general manager, Adofo-Mensah’s draft results have faced scrutiny at times. The selection of quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft drew particular scrutiny as injuries and uneven play limited his availability and production.

The Vikings failed to draft a player who developed into a Pro Bowler at any point from 2022–25, one of only 11 NFL teams to do so.

Minnesota Vikings co-owner Zygi Wilf, left, and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah talk on the sideline prior to an NFL football game on Nov. 27, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

Adofo-Mensah replaced Rick Spielman, who was dismissed in 2022. Spielman first joined the Vikings in 2006 as the team’s vice president of player personnel before his promotion to general manager in 2012.

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Adofo-Mensah played basketball as a student at Princeton. He brought an analytics-focused approach to Minnesota, having worked in an analytics role with the San Francisco 49ers in 2013. Prior to taking the job with the Vikings, Adofo-Mensah was the Cleveland Browns’ vice president of football operations.

The Vikings hold the No. 18 pick in this year’s draft.

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Lindsey Vonn injures knee in downhill crash a week before Games: ‘My Olympic dream is not over’

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Lindsey Vonn injures knee in downhill crash a week before Games: ‘My Olympic dream is not over’

U.S. skiing great Lindsey Vonn says her “Olympic dream is not over” after crashing and injuring her knee during a downhill race that was meant to be her final warmup before the start of the Milan Cortina Games next week.

“I crashed today in the Downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee,” the 41-year-old former Olympic gold medalist posted Friday on her Instagram Story. “I am discussing the situation with my doctors and team and will continue to undergo further exams.

“This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics… but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback.

“My Olympic dream is not over. Thank you all for all of the love and support. I will give more information when I have it. … It’s not over until it’s over.”

Taking part in a World Cup race in Crans Montana, Vonn lost control while attempting to land a jump on the upper portion of the course and slid into the safety netting. After receiving medical attention for about five minutes, Vonn slowly skied to the finish line, using her poles to support herself and stopping twice to clutch her knee.

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She smiled and waved to the crowd after crossing the finish line and received a long embrace from teammate Jacqueline Wiles before entering the medical tent. She was later airlifted off the slope for further evaluation.

Vonn was the third skier to crash during the race, which was being held in difficult conditions with low visibility. The event was canceled after Vonn’s fall.

After nearly six years away from ski racing, Vonn made a comeback last year and has two victories and three additional podium finishes in five downhill races this season — all with a partial titanium implant in her right knee.

At the 2010 Vancouver Games, Vonn became the only U.S. woman to win Olympic gold in downhill skiing. She also won bronze medals in the super-G 2010 and downhill in 2018. On Dec. 23, Vonn announced on Instagram she had qualified for “my 5th and final Olympics!”

“When I made the decision to return to ski racing, I always had one eye on Cortina because it’s a place that is very, very special to me,” she wrote. “Although I can’t guarantee any outcomes, I can guarantee that I will give my absolute best every time l kick out of the starting gate. No matter how these games end up, I feel like I’ve already won.”

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The opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Games is Feb. 6. Vonn’s first scheduled event is the women’s downhill on Feb. 8. She had also planned to compete in the super-G and the new team combined event.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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California sheriff refuses to support ICE operations around Super Bowl LX

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California sheriff refuses to support ICE operations around Super Bowl LX

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is set to have a presence at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, next month, but the county sheriff made clear he won’t have the agency’s back.

Santa Clara County Sheriff Bob Jonsen said Thursday that while authorities are there for the residents and tourists who will be coming into town for the game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, the department will not be working to support ICE agents in any immigration enforcement operations.

Demonstrators protest at Federal Building in response to a second shooting death by I.C.E. and immigration agents in Minnesota on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 in Los Angeles. (Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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“So, I urge our federal partners, if there’s something that you’re planning to do in our community, please, please be transparent and reach out to your local officials so we can work as best we can,” Jonsen said at a news conference.

“It was mentioned we are not going to change our policies or protocols. We will not be working or supporting ICE Immigration Enforcement, but I want you, again, remember, if you see us out there, we’re there to help you and we will be there. Don’t hesitate to contact someone wearing a uniform as these events unfold if they’re walking around trying to engage and make sure you remain safe.”

In the same breath, Jonsen said local law enforcement will be on hand to keep residents safe.

“We are going to be here for you, side-by-side. So, as you’re getting off those trains, you’re getting off those buses, yeah, high probability you’re going to see somebody in uniform. But if they’re not masked, if they’re wearing tan and green or blue and black, trust me, they’re there for your protection. They’re there for your protection.

ICE OFFICIALS TO PLAY SECURITY ROLE AT MILAN CORTINA OLYMPICS

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Footballs with the Super Bowl LX logo are pictured at the Wilson Sporting Goods factory in Ada, Ohio, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

“If they’re masked and they’re trying to hide their identity, then somebody hasn’t communicated with us because we’ve made it very clear to our officers, our workforce is to be open and transparent and engaged in this community for the next few weeks and that is also our goal each and everyday. We’ve spent decades building this community, building that trust. I’ve had conversations with many … over the past year trying to give you as much information as we can about what we know is gonna happen and when it’s gonna happen and if it’s gonna happen but without that communication we can’t.”

Fox News Digital reached out to ICE for comment.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin Yoho told TMZ earlier this week there will be agents conducting enforcement operations.

“DHS is committed to working with our local and federal partners to ensure the Super Bowl is safe for everyone involved, as we do with every major sporting event, including the World Cup,” she said. “Our mission remains unchanged.”

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DHS adviser Corey Lewandowski said back in October that enforcement is a “directive from the president,” and will not be paused for the Super Bowl.

“There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally,” Lewandowski said on “The Benny Show” podcast. “Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find and deport you. That is a very real situation.”

Federal law enforcement agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. (Jack Califano/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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President Donald Trump has said he will not be at the Super Bowl this year after being the first sitting president to attend one last year.

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