Emmett Ashford, born November 23, 1914, was the first African-American umpire in Major League Baseball. He began moonlighting as an umpire in a Santa Ana municipal softball league and National Night Ball League of Southern California. He left Santa Ana to umpire in the Southwestern International League, making him the first black umpire in professional baseball..
He joined the Arizona-Texas league and then to the Western International League in 1953, and then onto the Pacific Coast League in 1954.
After 12 years, he was promoted to the American League and made his major league debut April 11, 1966 at DC Stadium. He retired in 1970.
He passed away in March 1980.
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