Gregg was born in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . His major league career began at the age of 24 , making him one of the youngest umpires in big league history . He was only the third black umpire in the big leagues , following Emmett Ashford and Art Williams . He officiated in the 1989 World Series , and was the third base umpire for Game 3 , which was postponed due to the Loma Prieta earthquake , but since the series ended in four games , he did not get to work behind home plate , as happened to Ashford in the 1970 World Series . He also worked in four National League Championship Series ( 1981 , 1987 , 1991 , 1997 ) , as well as the 1995 and 1996 National League Division Series and the 1986 All-Star Game at the Houston Astrodome . He was the home plate umpire for two no-hitters ( Terry Mulholland in 1990 and Ramón Martínez in 1995 ) and worked third base for Tom Browning 's perfect game on September 16 , 1988 . On August 8 , 1988 , Gregg was the home plate umpire for the first night game at Wrigley Field . The Phillies and Cubs were rained out and the first official game was played August 9 , 1988 . His work in Game 5 in the 1997 National League playoff series was voted by Baseball America as the third-worst umpire performance of 1975 – 2000 era . Gregg continued to umpire in 1998 and a portion of the 1999 season , but was not selected for post season duties again
Loma Prieta earthquake
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
Eric Gregg