Chuck Meriwether
Chuck Meriwether | |
|---|---|
 Meriwether in 2009 | |
| Born | June 30, 1956 |
| Occupation | Former MLB umpire |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) in |
Julius Edward "Chuck" Meriwether (born June 30, 1956) is a former Major League Baseball umpire. After working in the American League (AL) from 1988 to 1999, he umpired in both leagues from 2000 to 2009. He originally wore number 32, but in 2004 switched to number 14.
After graduating from Athens State College in 1978, he first umpired in the minor leagues in 1979, reaching the American Association in 1986 before continuing up to the AL. He officiated in the 2004 World Series and 2007 World Series, and in the All-Star Game in 1996 and 2002. He also umpired in the 2003 National League Championship Series and 2006 American League Championship Series, and in eight Division Series (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, and 2009). He was the third base umpire for the single-game playoff to decide the National League's 2007 wild card team. He was also the third base umpire for David Cone's perfect game on July 18, 1999. Most recently he was the second base umpire for Mark Buehrle's perfect game on July 23, 2009.
On joining the league's staff, he became only the fifth African American umpire in major league history, and the first in the AL since Emmett Ashford retired in 1970. Coincidentally, Meriwether was behind the plate when the Boston Red Sox – the last major league team to integrate its roster – won its first World Series in 86 years in 2004, and he was again behind the plate when they won the Series three years later in 2007.
Before the start of the 2010 season, fellow MLB umpire Mike DiMuro wrote on his "Umps Care Blog" that Meriwether would sit out the 2010 season on the disabled list and then retire following the 2010 season.[1] Meriwether did in fact miss the entire season, and retired along with fellow veteran umpires Mike Reilly and Jerry Crawford on February 23, 2011.[2]
In 2016, the umpire dressing room at Nashville's First Tennessee Park was named after Meriwether.[3]
His son, Chris Meriwether, was a walk-on point guard for the Vanderbilt University basketball team from 2008 to 2010.[4]
See also
References
- ^ "Retirements Will Prompt New Hiring". Umps Care Charities. NBC Sports.
- ^ "Veteran Umpires Jerry Crawford, Chuck Meriwether, and Mike Reilly Retiring". HardballTalk. NBC Sports. February 3, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
- ^ "Sounds to Name Umpire Dressing Room After Nashville Native Chuck Meriwether". Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. May 5, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
- ^ "Chris Meriwether Bio". Vanderbilt Athletics. Retrieved May 5, 2016.