Veteran Umpire Chuck Meriwether Has Passed Away
Umpire Chuck Meriwether has died at the age of 63. Meriwether was an active umpire for 18 years. He also was a nine-year supervisor of Major League Baseball’s umpires.
Meriwether’s Bio
Julius Edward “Chuck” Meriwether was born on June 30th, 1956 in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1978 Meriwether graduated from Athens State College. Meriwether’s career as an umpire started in the minor leagues in 1979. In 1986 Meriwether reached the American Association. In 1988 Meriwether started to umpire in the American League.
Meriwether remained in the American League until 2000 when he started to umpire in both leagues. Meriwether’s last game as an umpire was technically in 2009. He sat out the entire 2010 season before retiring on February 23, 2011.
Career Highlights
Meriwether umpired in two World Series in 2004 and 2007 and also worked the 2003 NLCS and the 2006 ALCS. He also has been an umpire for two All-Star games in 1996 and 2002. Meriwether also worked eight Division Series between 1998 and 2009.
Also on his resume is two perfect games. He was the third-base umpire for David Cone’s perfect game on July 18, 1999. He was the second base umpire for Mark Buehrle’s perfecto on July 23, 2009.
Meriwether was the fifth African American umpire in major league history. In a weird twist, he was the home plate umpire in 2004 when the Boston Red Sox won their first world championship in 86 years. The last Major League team to integrate their roster was the Red Sox.
Meriwether’s Legacy
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred released this statement on the passing of Meriwether:
“Chuck Meriwether was an accomplished umpire on the field, a role model for our staff and a true gentleman in life. He made a significant impact in his nine years as an Umpire Supervisor. Chuck will be remembered for his genial manner and the outstanding example he set for others, particularly for African American umpires who followed him. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to his wife Rita, his sons Jeremy and Christopher, the Major League Umpires and his many friends throughout our game.”
RIP Chuck Meriwether, longtime MLB umpire and supervisor https://t.co/oOSzYrbFKB
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 26, 2019
In 2016, the umpire dressing room at Nashville’s First Tennessee Park was named after Meriwether.
Chuck Meriwether is survived by his wife Rita and two sons Jeremy and Christopher.
