Retired MLB Umpires File Lawsuit Over Retirement Benefits
NEW YORK — A group of five retired umpires has initiated legal action against the Major League Baseball (MLB) retirement plan and its committee, asserting that they are entitled to additional compensation.
On September 29, Joe West, Tom Hallion, Gerry Davis, Larry Vanover, and Jerry Layne lodged their lawsuit in federal court in New York.
The umpires contend that their retirement benefits were inaccurately calculated and claim further compensation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Their attorney, Paul B. Holmes, revealed on Thursday that the total owed to the plaintiffs exceeds $2 million.
West recounted that, when he raised concerns about the benefits with the retirement committee, he was presented with an inadequate settlement offer. He stated that MLB’s senior vice president and chief employment counsel, Steven Gonzalez, suggested, “If you don’t like the number, sue us.”
“Does Steve Gonzalez not know my history with dealing with lawsuits?” West remarked.
West, who officiated a record 5,460 regular-season games between 1976 and 2021, had previously won $500,000 in damages for a defamation lawsuit against former All-Star catcher Paul LoDuca in 2021.
MLB declined to comment on the matter on Wednesday, citing the ongoing litigation. This case was first reported by USA Today.
West and Davis retired following the 2021 season, Hallion by 2022, while Layne and Vanover concluded their careers in 2024. The lawsuit targets the American Leagues and National Leagues of Professional Baseball Clubs Retirement Income Plan for Umpires, along with its retirement committee.
“In some instances, the issues could be interpreted in multiple ways, but in several cases, it was evidently clear that the umpires were undercompensated,” Holmes stated. “We engaged in settlement discussions, and while these individuals were prepared to accept less than 100% of their rightful claims to resolve the matter, MLB’s offers were not sufficiently competitive.”
The lawsuit has been filed by the umpires as individuals, with the Major League Baseball Umpires Association choosing not to participate.
“The union preferred to remain uninvolved,” Holmes mentioned. “It’s a small union and not specialized in pension matters.”
A pretrial conference has been scheduled by U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams for December 11.
Chief Editor of Quincy City Beat — Quincy, MA's independent investigative newspaper covering Greater Boston and the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts with fearless public accountability and free access for all readers.
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