Charlie Williams (umpire)
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Charles Herman Williams (December 20, 1943 - September 10, 2005) was an American umpire who officiated in the National League from 1982 to 1999, and in both leagues in 2000. In 1993 he became the first African American umpire to work behind home plate in a World Series game. He wore uniform number 25.
Williams was born in Denver, Colorado, and became an All-America football player at Long Beach City College, later attending California State University, Los Angeles.
Williams was the home plate umpire for the longest game in World Series history, Game 4 of the 1993 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays, which lasted 4 hours and 14 minutes and ended with a 15-14 Toronto victory and a 3-1 Series lead for the Blue Jays. He was the first base umpire on June 3, 1995 when Pedro MartÃnez pitched 9 perfect innings before giving up a hit in the 10th.
He also worked the All-Star games in 1985 and 1995, the 1989 National League Championship Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs, the 1997 NLCS between the Florida Marlins and the Atlanta Braves, and the 1999 National League Division Series. He remained an umpire until his retirement in 2000 due to health problems, and died at age 61 in Chicago, Illinois after a long illness related to diabetes and kidney failure.
