Source: Brian Runge Terminated by MLB for Drug Violation

According to the AP, MLB fired umpire Brian Runge for a drug violation, marking the first known termination of a Major League umpire for violating Major League Baseball's Umpire Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.

Pro-baseball's drug suspensions in MLB/MiLB, 2006-12.
Runge's termination marks the first known firing of an umpire
directly attributed to an abuse of the drug policy.
/ Graph: MLBDD, Sources: USA Today, Baseball America

Pursuant to the Commissioner's Drug Prevention Policy, all Major League Umpires are subject to unannounced testing pursuant to the Umpires Drug Testing and Treatment Program. According to its terms, any umpire who refuses to test, fails to appear for a test or deliberately attempts to evade or alter a test result is subject to discipline. Like the players, umpires may receive a 50-day suspension without pay for the first violation of this policy with greater sanctions for subsequent violations.

According to the anonymous sources, Runge previously failed one drug test and was sanctioned; the source alleges Runge failed to abide by the terms of his post-failure employment agreement and accordingly was released from the Major League umpiring staff. His first MLB game was in 1999.

First reported as a rumor by the UEFL on June 9 and confirmed on June 14, Chris Conroy was promoted to the full-time roster where he replaced Runge after a failed return at Triple-A New Orleans in May.

News: AP Sources: MLB Umpire Let Go After Drug Violation (Associated Press/"The Big Story")