Williams born in Camden, Arkansas, raised in Bakersfield, California began his athletic career as a pitcher for his hometown Bakersfield Indians of the California League, in the Detroit Tigers organization, in 1953. Williams was the first Black player signed by the Tigers, mainly known for his hard-throwing right-handed pitches.
“I hope that this piece sheds light on someone who really contributed and opened the door for many African Americans and just people in general who have a dream,” Bartel told KGET News. “And they want to pursue it, and they don’t let anything stop ’em.”
Having ended his pitching career with an elbow injury, Williams became the second Black umpire in major league history, after Emmett Ashford and the first in the National League. Williams’ umpire journey started with local recreational baseball. While working, Williams was encouraged to attend Florida’s Major League Baseball’s umpire school in 1969 by a former scout for the San Francisco Giants. He was later hired to umpire in the minor leagues before taking the big step from the Triple-A International League to later working the National League Championship Series in 1975.
Williams was fired after the 1977 season, by that time he played in 807 games in six MLB seasons. However, the MLB declined to renew his contract for unclear reasons. Williams suspected that not only was dismissal racially motivated, however, he believed that there was a one-Black-umpire quota system. Eric Gregg, was set to be promoted to the majors the next year. Williams filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was filed and was still pending at the time of his death.
Williams came back to Bakersfield and took a job as a bus driver. Williams health began to decline in the following year as he suffered from headaches and seizures. He underwent brain surgery for a tumor on his pituitary gland and was in a coma for six weeks until his death on Feb. 8, 1979. He was only 44.
Bartel, the documentary filmmaker, met with the late umpire’s brother in mid-January to tell the story.
Audie Williams told KGET News how he is pleased about the documentary.
“I know Art would be very pleased,” Williams said, who was seven years younger than his late brother. “And it’s something that makes me feel warm and appreciative. Even my kids. They will tell me, Dad, that’s history! That was my uncle.”
