Anyone remember Emmett Ashford?

[Dodgerfan1]

Does anyone here remember Emmett Ashford? On April 12, 1966, he became the first black umpire in major league history, representing the American League. He's rarely talked about as the 'Jackie Robinson' of umpires. He only stuck around for five years, retiring in 1970. He worked the 1967 All-Star Game as an outfield umpire and later worked the 1970 World Series.

Shouldn't this be trumpeted almost as much as Frank Robinson becoming the first black manager? Or Cito Gaston becoming the first black manager to lead his team to a World Series? Obviously, it isn't anywhere near as important as the Jackie Robinson story, but still, Ashford's accomplishment is of little note anymore.

I remember as a boy, my father took me to an A's game in Oakland, and he pointed out Ashford and told me he was the first black man to ever become a major league umpire. He was at first base that day, and I became fascinated by his antics. He was very animated. When he punched someone out, he would take a couple of hop-steps forward, his right fist cocked by his ear, and fire his fist forward, following through like a pitcher! It was the first time I'd seen anything like that, and the fans loved it! He was quite the showman. He blazed the trail for the Ron Lucianos of the world, with their exaggerated calls and animated styles. Off the field, he was a flashy dresser, sporting lots of jewelry.

I miss him. I am going to pick up a copy of his biography, "Strrr-ike!!: Emmett Ashford, Major League Umpire", written by his daughter, Adrienne Cherie Ashford.

[Brian McKenna]

I believe he faced a mandatory retirement age and was sent packing.

[bluezebra]

It's my understanding that Ashford was chosen as a 'token' African American umpire. He definitely wasn't the best around, and many of those 'in the know' firmly believe that it was hoped that Ashford would fail dismally, thereby setting back the admission of Black umpires to MLB.

I saw him a few times on TV, and remember him as a 'showboat' type, and not one of the best. I believe the only reason he lasted five years, is that MLB didn't want to be accused of giving him a fair chance.

To consider Ashford as the 'Jackie Robinson' of umpires, is really pushing it.

Bob

[Dodgerfan1]

It's my understanding that Ashford was chosen as a 'token' African American umpire. He definitely wasn't the best around, and many of those 'in the know' firmly believe that it was hoped that Ashford would fail dismally, thereby setting back the admission of Black umpires to MLB.

I saw him a few times on TV, and remember him as a 'showboat' type, and not one of the best. I believe the only reason he lasted five years, is that MLB didn't want to be accused of giving him a fair chance.

To consider Ashford as the 'Jackie Robinson' of umpires, is really pushing it.

Bob

For what it's worth, I am not trying to say he was one of the best, just that I got a kick out of his antics when I was ten years old. Not comparing him with Jackie regarding his performance, only that he was the first black umpire. I was just wondering how many people remember him. For someone who was historically relevant, I never hear anything about the guy at all.

[KHenry14]

I remember seeing him at the start of the game run out to 2B over the mound with some Tinkerbell kind of steps. Of course the crowd loved him, but from what I recall the players disliked him a lot. He did showboat, but more importantly he didn't make the right calls. In other words, if you are going to showboat, you better get the calls right.

[KCGHOST]

Ashford just wasn't very good at the major league level. He was animated, though.

[2Chance]

Sure, I remember Ashford. By the time I noticed he was already in the league for a while. But it didn't seem that special, as integration was happening everywhere by then. Bob is absolutely right. He was not blazing a new trail like Jackie.

As for Cito Gaston, there was a lot more fanfare about Frank Robinson taking the helm of the Cleveland Indians in 1975. He signed with them with the understanding that he would be a player-manager, and since they were a second-division team he was not under the pressure that a contender would be, but was nonetheless a good manager. He would have been the obvious choice anyway. Again, in Gaston's case the non-white manager thing had already been done, so it wasn't as big a deal. It would have made about as much noise as the first Japanese third baseman.

[Iron Jaw]

I remember Frank Robinson and Ashford having "words" and Frank getting tossed by him early in Emmett's career.

[Brian McKenna]

Article about Ashford in the new The National Pastime that was sent to SABR members recently.

[AstrosFan]

Oh, that's where that came from. I just remember seeing a magazine called National Pastime on the floor one day, with no idea what it was doing there. Since it was baseball-related, I figured it was for me. Glad to have that mystery solved. Thanks, bk.

[Fuzzy Bear]

Ashford is a figure of historical note. He DID integrate the MLB umpiring crew, and there ought to be some kind of exhibit about him at the HOF if there is not one already. I wouldn't induct him into the HOF any more than I would induct Sam Jethroe, but, like Jethroe, Ashford was a pioneer.

Some say that Ashford's flamboyant style kept him out of the bigs for years moreso than his race did. Maybe, but Ashford's flamboyance was tolerated more when it came from a white umpire. His flamboyance may not have been appreciated, but it also got him noticed, and probably helped him marginally. He was not a great umpire, but he was not the worst ump in the world, either.

[Brian McKenna]

Article about Ashford in the new The National Pastime that was sent to SABR members recently.

Enlightening and respectful article about a significant career in the game.

Some might say he was a "token" with little to offer the game but it's not like he came from no where. He was chief umpire of the PCL and had learned the trade from Bill Stewart.

Not sure whose "token" he was because Joe Cronin sure didn't want him there. The PCL set out to push for his promotion until his absence became an embarassment to MLB.

[1905 Giants]

How do you become an umpire? I'd like that.

[Brian McKenna]

How do you become an umpire? I'd like that.

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