Episode description

Games can be important because of the players, of firsts, of society, or more. Today's classic baseball radio broadcast features an important first for umpiring that reflects society.

In 1966 Emmett Ashford became the first African American umpire in the major league. Having umpired since the late 1930s  (by virtue of being the volunteer when another umpire failed to turn up to a game), he made a name for himself with his flamboyant style as he worked up through the league.

He made his debut on April 11, 1966. After a little bit of a search in our archives, we've got one of Emmett Ashford's earliest games in the MLB. Two months into the season Ashford finds himself manning first base in this mid-season clash between the Yankees (33-40) and the Senators (32-46)… and we're cutting straight to the first pitch.

You can find the boxscore here.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/WS2/WS2196607030.shtml

This game was played on July 3rd, 1966.