Black History Month: Remembering Emmet Ashford

Hepp, Joy M

To celebrate Black History Month and "Firsts After 50," we're highlighting trailblazing Californians like Emmett Ashford (1914- 1980), who in 1966 became the first Black American umpire in Major League Baseball at age 52. Ashford's story came to our attention when his daughter, Adrienne Bratton, shared a comment about him our Facebook page on a post about another famous Jefferson High School graduate and Angeleno -- Ralph Bunche, the first Black American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

After graduating from high school, attending Chapman University and serving in the United States Navy, Ashford worked for 15 years at the United States Post Office, where he surprised co-workers when he gave up his seniority to pursue umpiring. According to Minor League Baseball's official site, MILB.com, in 1945  Ashford was inspired to pursue his dream upon hearing a radio report about Jackie Robinson becoming the first Black American in Major League Baseball.

According to Adrienne, her father's significant first was a byproduct of his desire to be the best umpire he could be. However, "the barrier to my father's upward movement was one of color," Adrienne said.

"His success at his craft and his popularity among fans were two of the factors that helped him overcome this barrier," Adrienne said. After spending 15 years winning over fans and athletes in Minor League Baseball, he finally got the call to the majors on April 11, 1966.

What would Emmet Ashford have to say to anyone else wanting to realize a dream after 50? "I think his advice would be to any up-and-coming achievers would be to work hard, study hard and do your best by setting your high personal standard for success," Adrienne said.

 

Find out more about Emmet Ashford's story by visiting the Called Up: The Emmet Ashford Story Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/calledupemmettashford/