OAK LAWN – Charlie Williams, 61, the first black umpire to work behind home plate in a World Series game, died on 10  September of complications from diabetes at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Williams was the home-plate umpire for the marathon Game 4 of the 1993 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays.

At 4 hours, 14 minutes, it was the longest game in World Series history. It also set records for most runs by both teams (29) and most runs scored by a losing team (14). Toronto won the game at Veterans Stadium 15-14, then went on to take the Series in six games.

“He called it the game from hell because it went on so long,” said his wife, Diana Williams. Williams, who was born in Denver and grew up in California, attended umpire school while working the night shift at a factory. After a stint in the minors, he reached the major leagues in 1982.

Other highlights of Williams' career included the 1985 and 1995 All-Star games, the 1989 National League championship series between the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs, and the 1997 National League championship series between the Florida Marlins and the Atlanta Braves.

Special to Canadian Baseball News – 12 September 2004