Multiple reports say veteran Major League Baseball umpire C.B. Bucknor is planning to retire after the 2026 season. According to Yahoo Sports, Bucknor would accept a buyout as part of the retirement arrangement. The reports describe Bucknor as having worked for roughly 30 years in MLB umpiring, a tenure that has made him one of the league’s more experienced officials. They also note that he has often been singled out for what some MLB players and managers consider poor performance. While the articles reference widespread criticism of his work over the years, they do not provide additional detail on any specific incidents or performance metrics tied to the decision to retire. No conflicting information is included in the provided summaries about Bucknor’s plans, and the reporting focuses primarily on the timing of his retirement and the mention of a buyout. The information is presented as a report rather than a direct statement from Bucknor or MLB in the provided text.