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.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

Required reading

(Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)

At just 23, American gymnast Jordan Chiles already has numerous achievements under her belt. 

Even before she traveled to Japan for the Tokyo Olympics, Chiles was considered one of the sport’s breakout stars.

She won a silver medal in 2021 at the COVID-delayed Summer Games. Once she returned to the U.S., Chiles’ impressive performance continued. 

She began competing at the collegiate level for the UCLA Bruins, winning NCAA titles in the uneven bars and floor exercise in 2023. Chiles also took home the gold at the 2022 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool and the 2023 Pan American Games.

Chiles spoke with Fox News Digital in conjunction with Invisalign. 

“I was happy to partner with them because there was one thing I did not like about myself, which was my smile,” Chiles said. “With Invisalign, I was able to embrace my smile more.”

SHAWN JOHNSON EXCITED FOR SIMONE BILES’ RETURN AT PARIS OLYMPICS FOLLOWING 2021 TWISTIES: ‘THE BEST FOREVER’

She has been a member of the United States women’s national gymnastics team since 2013.

Jordan Chiles of the U.S. stands on the podium for gymnastics at Parque Deportivo Estadio Nacional at the Santiago 2023 Pan Am Games Oct. 23, 2023, in Santiago, Chile.  (Al Bello/Getty Images)

“Biles and Chiles … we love each other so much. … That’s my bestie. We’re Biles and Chiles for a reason. She’s definitely proven a lot within her time of her comeback era. She won core classics. She’s done amazing things at world (championships). She has all these medals. I’m beyond proud,” Chiles told Fox News Digital.

“I’m that little sister. … I will give her all her flowers, her crown, whatever it needs to be. Yes, there’s times where we both have bad days. … I know this comeback for her is about to be the biggest comeback that’s ever been known, and I’m really excited to see where this year takes her. Paris … this is her time. Paris is definitely going to be something that everybody is just going to be in awe because this girl has dedicated a lot to this.”

Jordan Chiles, left, and Simone Biles meet at the 2023 U.S. Gymnastics Championships at SAP Center Aug. 27, 2023, in San Jose, Calif.  (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

“She’s such an amazing person. I wish people could see that side of her. She’s my superhero for sure,” Chiles said about Biles.

Chiles is also well respected. The opening ceremony of the Pan American Games in Chile served as a prime example of the admiration Chiles’ contemporaries have for her. She was selected to carry Team USA’s flag during the opening ceremony.

“Honestly, I was in shock. I was in awe. I didn’t know there was that many people who really thought I would be an important person to carry the flag for such a big team,” Chiles told Olympics.com. “USA is the biggest team that anybody can be thankful to be a part of. So, I was really in awe. I was excited.

“It just brings me back to when Miss Simone did it for her 2016 era. I’ve always dreamed of being able to be a flag bearer.”

Chiles will soon travel to Texas for the 2024 U.S. National Gymnastics Championships. This year’s field will feature several of the most talented American gymnasts, including Chiles, Biles, “Suni” Lee, Gabby Douglas and others. The U.S. Championships run from May 30 through June 2.

The Summer Olympics begins July 26 and conclude Aug. 11 in Paris.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Southern California Regionals

BASEBALL

Tuesday’s Results
First Round

Division I
Orange Lutheran 9, Cathedral Catholic 3
Santa Margarita 7, Rancho Bernardo 1
Huntington Beach 8, Granite Hills 3
La Mirada 4, Torrey Pines 2

Division II
Liberty 14, Westlake 5
Poway 4, Arcadia 3
Moorpark 6, Bell 0
Ayala 3, San Marcos 0

Division III
St. John Bosco 3, Granada Hills 2
Birmingham 2, South 0
Point Loma 3, St. Francis 2
Bakersfield Christian 11, Palm Desert 1

Division IV
Chino Hills 10, North Hollywood 1
University City 8, Colony 2
Oxnard Pacifica 6, Village Christian 1
Valhalla 4, Oxford Academy 0

Division V
Chavez 2, South El Monte 1
Shafter 6, Eagle Rock 3
Mount Miguel 2, Orange County Pacifica Christian 0
Azusa 3, LA University 2

Thursday’s Schedule
(All games at 4 p.m. unless noted)

Semifinals

Division I
#5 Santa Margarita at #1 Orange Lutheran
#7 La Mirada at #3 Huntington Beach

Division II
#5 Poway at #1 Liberty
#7 Ayala at #3 Moorpark

Division III
#4 Birmingham at #1 St. John Bosco
#3 Point Loma at #2 Bakersfield Christian

Division IV
#5 University City at #1 Chino Hills
#3 Oxnard Pacifica at #2 Valhalla

Division V
#8 Chavez at #5 Shafter
#3 Mount Miguel at #2 Azusa

SOFTBALL
Tuesday’s Results
First Round

Division I
Murrieta Mesa 3, Santa Ana Mater Dei 0
Great Oak 4, St. Joseph 2
Del Norte 6, California 3
Valley View 4, Poway 3

Division II
Chula Vista Mater Dei 9, Birmingham 2
King 10, Rio Mesa 3
Etiwanda 10, Paraclete 0
Granada Hills 3, San Marcos 0

Division III
Otay Ranch 5, Liberty 4
Bakersfield Christian 3, Monache 2
Imperial 7, JW North 0
Steel Canyon 3, Cerritos Valley Christian 1

Division IV
Garfield, bye
Woodlake 15, Nipomo 1
Eastside 11, Pioneer Valley 10
Oceanside 6, Oxford Academy 2

Division V
Chatsworth, bye
Bell 20, LA University 5
Coastal Academy 16, Jurupa Valley 3
Hesperia Christian 10, Francis Parker 9

Thursday’s Schedule
(All games at 4 p.m. unless noted)
Semifinals

Division I
#5 Great Oak at #1 Murrieta Mesa
#7 Valley View at #3 Del Norte

Division II
#5 King at #1 Chula Vista Mater Dei
#3 Etiwanda at #2 Granada Hills

Division III
#4 Bakersfield Christian at #1 Otay Ranch
#3 Imperial at #2 Steel Canyon

Division IV
#4 Woodlake at #1 Garfield
#6 Eastside at #2 Oceanside

Division V
#4 Bell at #1 Chatsworth
#3 Coastal Academy at #2 Hesperia Christian