Emmett Littleton Ashford
“ ASH”
(November 23, 1914 – March 1, 1980)
First Black Major League Baseball umpire
Emmett Littleton Ashford, affectionately known as “Ash,” holds a significant place in baseball history with the following notable distinction:
Awards and Honors:
- Emmett Ashford made history as the first African-American umpire in Major League Baseball, breaking barriers and paving the way for greater diversity in the sport.
- He achieved this historic milestone by working in the American League from 1966 to 1970, during a time when opportunities for African Americans in professional sports were limited.
Emmett Ashford’s groundbreaking contributions to baseball as the first African-American umpire remain a testament to his trailblazing spirit and the progress he helped usher into the world of sports.
Emmett Ashford passed away of a heart attack on March 1, 1980, in Marina Del Rey, California.