With the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres beginning on Tuesday evening, fans may hear a familiar name swarming around during the game’s broadcast and most certainly on social media; a name that strikes fear – or at least concern – in the hearts of every baseball manager, coach, player, broadcaster, beat writer, and fan.

That name is Angel Hernandez … Yes, that Angel Hernandez.

It was reported by numerous sports media outlets on Monday that the 59-year-old Havana, Cuba native would be one of six MLB umpires working the best-of-five National League Division Series between the Dodgers and Padres at Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX.

Why does his name ring a bell? Aside from the obvious fact of having the reputation of being the undisputed worst umpire in the game, you may recall that back in 2017, the 27-year MLB veteran umpire filed a lawsuit against Major League Baseball claiming that he did not receive prestigious postseason umpiring assignments or the opportunity to become a crew chief because of MLB’s alleged preference for non-ethnic umpires; this despite receiving high marks on evaluations. Hernandez’s suit included the fact that he had not received an assignment to a World Series since 2005. (Note: Hernandez’s lawsuit is currently undergoing pretrial motions in U.S. District Court in Manhattan).

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on everyone’s life in 2020, Hernandez actually benefited from it – at least professionally. As baseball fans know, a dozen Major League umpires elected to opt-out of the COVID-19-shortened 60-game 2020 season due to health concerns. As a result, Hernandez was appointed as an interim crew chief, lawsuit notwithstanding.

According to MLB.com executive reporter Mark Feinsand, Hernandez is scheduled to be the first base umpire for Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday. He will be joined by Lance Barrett (home plate), Crew Chief Bill Miller (second base), Doug Eddings (third base), Alfonso Marquez (left field), and Quinn Wolcott (right field).

In early September during a game between the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox, Twitter exploded after Hernandez, working as the home plate umpire, called an 87-mph breaking ball from Twins right-hander Jorge Alcala to White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu which, according to Umpire Auditor’s Twitter page (@UmpireAuditor), was 3.35 inches off the plate a strike that had White Sox fans both confused and angry.

Poor umpiring aside, Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler will start Game-1 of the NLDS for the Dodgers. As Dodger (and baseball) fans know, Buehler has been battling a blister on his right index finger since late August. During his Zoom media conference on Monday afternoon, Buehler was, of course, asked about his blister and how he will approach his start against the Padres because of it.

“I’m just trying to not worry about it too much,” Buehler answered. “Same routine. I expect to be myself, regardless of it. That’s just kind of how I operate.

“It is what it is. It’s something we’ve got to deal with, and I’ve got to deal with,” he added. “At the end of the day, my job is to perform, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

It’s going to take a lot more than a blister – or even Angel Hernandez – to get in the way of the Dodgers winning the upcoming Division Series against San Diego and advancing to the 2020 National League Championship Series – of this you can be sure.

Let’s Play Ball!

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