CB Buckner to Retire After 2026 Season

CB Buckner, a veteran umpire in Major League Baseball, has announced he will retire after the 2026 season, bringing a controversial 30-year career to a close.

He is among seven umpires who have opted for voluntary retirements as MLB prepares to fully implement its automatic ball strike (ABS) system, according to Bob Nightengale.

Other umpires who have taken buyouts include Laz Diaz, Brian Honora, Lance Barksdale, Marvin Hudson, Tony Randazzo, and Andy Fletcher.

Nightengale also highlighted that Buckner’s retirement could create an opportunity for Jen Pawol to become the first full-time female umpire in MLB by the 2027 season.

Buckner, 63, began his career as a National League umpire in 1996 and became part of MLB’s full-time staff in 2000.

He officiated over 4,000 regular-season games and participated in the All-Star Games in 2005 and 2021, as well as various division series. Yet, his tenure has not been without its challenges. His strike zone and notably missed calls have made him a divisive figure within the sport.

In the opening week of this season, Buckner had six ball strike calls overturned by the ABS challenge system during a game between the Reds and Red Sox.

He was criticized for a game where he recorded 26 missed strikes, one of the highest tallies for an opening week. Just a few days later, he mishandled a call at first base during a Brewers-Rays match, although that decision was quickly corrected via replay, leading to amusement from both teams.

Buckner has faced substantial criticism for his inconsistency on the field. His accuracy has been reported at just 92%, which is notably below the MLB average.

Surveys from Sports Illustrated in 2003 and 2006 dubbed him the least favored umpire in the league, a sentiment echoed in a 2010 ESPN Active Player Survey.

With the ABS technology poised to play a growing role in future games, Buckner’s choice to retire might be met with relief by players, fans, and others involved in baseball’s ongoing evolution.