People, Locations, Episodes

Mon, 09.18.1972

The First Black Man Umpires a National League Baseball game

Art Williams at Home Plate

*On this date in 1972, Art Williams became the first Black MLB umpire in the National League.

He called the game from third base as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 3-2 in 10 innings. William was a minor-league pitcher in the mid-1950s.

He died in 1979 at 44 in his home in Bakersfield, California.

Reference:

The Undefeated.com

Black Enterpriise.com

20th Century Baseball Chronicle
Year-By-Year History of major league Baseball
Copyright 1999, Publications International Ltd.
ISBN 0-7853-4074-2

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