ALASKA BASEBALL ALUMNI HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2023
Day One Inductee
ALASKA BASEBALL ALUMNI HALL OF FAME
2022 saw the first class of the AKGPA Hall of Fame inducted during the month of April. The inaugural group were drawn from players, executives, mascots, and personnel directly involved with baseball in Fairbanks, Alaska. Listed below is the first class in its entirety:
THE ’22 TWENTY: Dan Pastorini, Bill Lee, Dave Kingman, Morganna the Kissing Bandit, Tom Seaver, Dave Winfield, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi, Bowie Kuhn, Andy Messersmith, Alvin Davis, Bob Boone, Sean Timmons, Allan Simpson, Bruce Robinson, Rod Dedeaux, H.A. (Red) Boucher, Hap Dumont, and Don Dennis.
2023 will see the induction of a new member into our Ball Hall every day during the month of April until the class is complete on the 20th.
Join us during the month of April for our second countdown of the Alaska Goldpanners Alumni Association Hall of Fame – Class of 2023.
’23 TWENTY HALL OF FAME, DAY ONE INDUCTEE:
EMMETT ASHFORD
Emmett Littleton Ashford (November 23, 1914 – March 1, 1980), nicknamed Ash, was the first African American umpire in Major League Baseball, working in the American League from 1966 to 1970.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
– Broke Color Barrier in Major League Baseball & Pac-8 Basketball
– Worked 1970 World Series between Baltimore and Cincinnati
– Appeared in The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
– Alaska Chief of Umpires for Three Seasons
– 2015 National Baseball Congress Hall of Fame
“I was proud to have done some things they said couldn’t be done. It was said there couldn’t be a black umpire, he wouldn’t even be allowed on the field.”
VIDEO TRIBUTES:
– Called Up Documentary: The Emmett Ashford Story (https://calledupdocumentary.com)
CALLED UP: The Emmett Ashford Story is a one-hour documentary being produced by the filmmaking team of Raymond Bell a two-time Emmy Award winning producer and Doug Harris an award-winning filmmaker about the untold story of an African American sports pioneer.
– You Bet Your Life: Secret Word: Book | featuring Emmett Ashford
“You Bet Your Life” episode from Nov. 17, 1955, secret word “Book”. Starring Groucho Marx. One of the contestants is Emmett Ashford, who went on to become the first African American umpire in Major League Baseball.
– Emmett Ashford in Alaska
Jack O’Toole recalls this funny umpiring moment with his friend Emmett Ashford. Emmett Ashford (November 23, 1914 — March 1, 1980), was the first African American umpire in Major League Baseball, He umpired in the American League from 1966 to 1970. Emmett served as umpire-in-chief for the Alaskan summer league for three years in the early 1970’s.
NEWS CLIPPINGS:
– MLB.com: Ashford named first Black umpire in AL/NL history
https://www.mlb.com/news/umpire-emmett-ashford-broke-many-barriers
“Jackie Robinson inspired countless Black athletes to pick up a glove and bat to play baseball — but his impact goes far beyond those who played the game. Case in point: Emmett Ashford.”
– Andscape.com: Emmett Ashford, first black umpire in the majors, makes his debut
(https://andscape.com/features/emmett-ashford-first-black-umpire-in-the-majors-makes-his-debut)
‘He overwhelmed people with his endurance and his charm’
– Referee.com: Emmett Ashford – a rare personality
(https://www.referee.com/the-entertainer/)
Although his American League umpiring career spanned only five years, the late Emmett Ashford is still remembered as being among the most flamboyant and controversial major league umpires ever.
– Hall of Fame: Emmett Ashford blazed trails for umpires
(https://baseballhall.org/discover/going-deep/emmett-ashford-blazed-trails-for-umpires)
“It wasn’t easy being an umpire, let alone being a Negro umpire,” he said. “But since the game is the ballplayer’s bread and butter, all he wants is for you to make the right calls. He doesn’t care if you’re white or Black, Eskimo or Indian. In turn, I worked like hell. I was an umpire, not a Black umpire.”
STRRR-IKE!! EMMETT ASHFORD, MAJOR LEAGUE UMPIRE
(https://www.amazon.com/Strrr-ike-Emmett-Ashford-League-Umpire/dp/141842790X)
As never before, this writing covers the life of Emmett Ashford on his path to becoming the first Black major leagueumpire. From 1940’s Central Avenue high life to Alaska, this book exposes the man off of the field: a purvey or of excellence, a humanitarian, an actor, and a consummate social being. This work uniquely reveals Emmett Ashford’s developmental years – even including authentic pages from his middle school composition book. His privatelife reveals a man who developed relevant skills early in life, a man who wasthe target of racism and criticism and man who maintained high personal standards of competence throughout his life. In this writing by Emmett Ashford’s daughter, Adrienne, enhances his experience with her personal anecdotes, reactions and observations. This text is written in the first person -encompassing the relationship between father and daughter. ‘I have a very vivid memory of activities of my father.’ avers Adrienne. Emmett and Adrienne’s lives hold numerous parallels as you will discover upon reading this publication. Adrienne, as her father, firmly believes that dreams can be achieved by acquiring a good foundation, by believing in your dream and by perservering. This book is about success. . . . and everyone loves a winner!
Ashford provides touch of ‘bigs’
By DON DENNIS
Executive Editor
FAIRBANKS DAILY NEWS-MINER
July 30, 1971
Ball-ah ….
With the emphatic sound of that unusual word, it is obvious that dynamic Emmett Ashford, former American League umpire, is back on the job.
Ashford, currently a public relations representative for Commissioner of Baseball Bowie Kuhn, is spending his summer working as chief umpire for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots. In that capacity he has come to Fairbanks to work several games at Growden Memorial Park. He was behind the plate in Wednesday’s opening game of the Alaska World Series and will be watching the dish again tonight.
Ashford is no ordinary umpire. In fact, almost everything about his career has been out of the ordinary. Black and sassy, he has opened many a door for the first time in his colorful 21-year officiating career.
Chiefly, he became the first Black man to umpire in the major leagues when the American League purchased his contract from the Pacific Coast Leage in 1965. Thus, everything he accomplished for five years at the top marked a first.
He entered with a bang, working the presidential opener in Washington, and went out in the final game of the 1970 World Series between Baltimore and Cincinnati.
“One more day and I would have been behind the plate in the series,” Ashford says, making it obvious that was one more goal he wanted.
“Working in the World Series was a fitting culmination to 20 years of hard work,” he said. “Working the World Series is certainly the biggest thrill of my life.”
“Of course I am proud to have done some things they said couldn’t be done,” he commented. “In addition to being the first Black major league umpire, I was the first Black official for major college basketball, having worked for nine years in the Pacific-8 Conference.”
Undoubtedly, the greatest showman ever to don the blue in the big leagues, Ashford says he was just doing what comes naturally. “I’m an extrovert,” he explains.
One of the aspects of his job as West Coast representative for the commissioner is the development of new umpires with particular attention being paid to the half-dozen or so Blacks now working in organized baseball.
“Keep you eyes on Art Williams,” Ashford advises. “Just a month ago he got promoted from the Dixie Southern League to the International League and is on his way to the top.”
Ashford will return to work for the commissioner evaluating umpires and making speaking arrangements just as soon as the Alaska World Series concludes. He is leaving Alaska with many favorable impressions.
“It has been a real education,” he smilingly says. “My wife and I have really enjoyed it. And, I know when we get home to Los Angeles and are sitting on the patio, many nights we will wish we were sitting in Anchorage overlooking Cook Inlet.
“Alaska is the most beautiful part of the world I have seen and I’ve traveled quite a bit,” he says. “The ruggest scenery is overwhelming. And, there are some wonderful people who seem untouched by the pseudo-sophistication of the outside. They take people in the way they present themselves, which is a good credo.
“The caliber of baseball is fantastic,” he added. “I didn’t really know what to expect but I find your teams loaded. And, the rivalry between the cities is different than anything I have ever seen. But, I do think the fans need to be educated to display more sportsmanship.”
Ashford is unsure about the possibility of returning to Alaska. But, whether he does or not, Alaska’s baseball-mad residents are richer for having had him here.
Check back tomorrow as we unveil the latest ’23 TWENTY inductee.