Charlie Williams
| Birthdate | 12/20/1943 |
| Death Date | 9/11/2005 |
| Debut Year | 1978 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | MLB, National League |
| Position | Umpire |
Charlie Williams was the first African American umpire to work the plate in a World Series contest. He also umpired Tom Seaver’s only no-hitter.
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Charlie Williams gave Steve Garvey his only career ejection in 1986
Charlie Williams gave Steve Garvey his only career ejection in 1986
Charlie Williams was involved in sports all his life. An All-American football player at Long Beach City College, Williams forged a career in professional sports as a Major League Baseball umpire.
In his rookie year Williams umpired Tom Seaver’s only no-hitter. Along the way Williams worked All Star games, NLDS and NLCS contests. For good measure was on the field on September 28, 1988 when Orel Hershiser set the scoreless innings streak.
Williams made baseball history becoming the first African-American to call balls and strikes in a World Series game during Game 4 of the 1993 Fall Classic. He also gave Steve Garvey the thumb in the star first baseman’s sole career ejection.
Shown here is the back of a check drawn on the National League account, and made out to and endorsed by Williams. Below Williams’s signature is that of legendary announcer Jack Buck whose play-by-play work earned him recognition from the Baseball and Football Halls of Fame and the National Radio Hall of Fame among others.
Bart Giamatti handed down Pete Rose's lifetime ban; both signed this check
Bart Giamatti handed down Pete Rose's lifetime ban; both signed this check
Though Charlie Williams endorsed the back of the check, it’s the front that holds the most interest. Made out on the account of The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, it provides payment for Spring Training games Williams umpired in 1987.
Signed by Bart Giamatti in his capacity of National League President, the check also has the autograph of career hit leader Pete Rose.
An academician who taught at Princeton and Yale, Bart Giamatti served as President of Yale for ten years. The lifelong baseball fan jumped when baseball offered him the presidency of the National League.
In two years in that position, he forged a reputation for preserving baseball’s traditions, values and integrity. On September 8, 1988 Giamatti was unanimously elected by the owners as baseball’s seventh Commissioner for a five-year term. He took office on April 1, 1989.
On August 23, 1989 Giamatti was the central figure in the agreement with Pete Rose that banned the career hits leader for life. Nine days later Giamatti had a massive heart attack and died at his summer home in Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.
