C.B. Bucknor To Retire After 2026 Season

Bucknor’s Career and Recent Incidents

The 63‑year‑old umpire accepted MLB’s buyout offer and will call it a career after the 2026 campaign. He debuted in the National League in 1996 and continued working games after the NL and AL staffs merged in 2000. Following Phil Cuzzi’s retirement in February, Bucknor became the longest‑tenured active umpire in the majors.

An April 1 matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays ended Bucknor’s season early. Rays catcher Nick Fortes fouled off a 100.2 mph fastball from Jacob Misiorowski, and the ball struck Bucknor in the mask, forcing him to the ground. Trainers evaluated him, and he left the game without further involvement.

Health Scare and Off‑field Developments

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Bucknor was sidelined for health reasons, not disciplinary action. “He isn’t being benched. That’s not a real thing,” a source told Rosenthal. The umpire has not returned to the field since the mask incident.

His absence coincides with increased scrutiny of his on‑field performance, especially after the implementation of MLB’s Automated Ball‑Strike (ABS) system. The technology has already highlighted several contested calls involving Bucknor.

Umpire Rankings and Criticism

Multiple player surveys have labeled Bucknor as the worst umpire in MLB. Sports Illustrated’s polls in 2003 and 2006 placed him at the bottom of the list, and an ESPN survey in 2010 echoed the same sentiment. The criticism has intensified during the current season.

During a March 28 Boston Red Sox–Cincinnati Reds game, two strike‑three calls were overturned by ABS after Bucknor’s decisions. In total, six ball‑strike calls overseen by Bucknor were reversed that season. Then‑Red Sox manager Alex Cora remarked afterward, “It wasn’t his best day.”

Impact of Automated Ball‑Strike System

The ABS challenge system has added a new layer of scrutiny for veteran officials like Bucknor. The technology’s ability to review umpire judgments has brought past performance issues into sharper focus. While some games still go without review, the system is reshaping how consistency is measured.

Bucknor’s crew for the season included crew chief Dan Iassogna, Jeremie Rehak, and Adam Beck. Their collective experiences will be missed as the league moves toward a blend of traditional officiating and technology‑assisted decisions.

2026 Umpire Exits Include Six Others

Bucknor is one of seven major‑league umpires taking MLB’s buyout and retiring after this year. The group also features Laz Diaz, Brian O’Nora, Lance Barksdale, Marvin Hudson, Tony Randazzo, and Andy Fletcher. Their departures mark a significant transition for the officiating ranks.

The retirements follow a pattern of offering experienced umpires a financial incentive to step down as the sport looks to balance tradition with evolving technology. The changes will likely prompt discussions about how the league prepares the next generation of officials.