Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 100, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 April 1914 — CHARACTERISTIC ARGUMENTS WITH UMPIRES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CHARACTERISTIC ARGUMENTS WITH UMPIRES

Contrary to general opinion, a ball player doesn’t have to use impolite language to be ejected from a game. One day last summer at Comiskey park, Chicago, several White Sox players told the things they had done to seriously ruffle the feelings of umpires.

Billy Sullivan, famous Sox catcher, seldom argues with an umpire. When he does it is because he is convinced that he is right. During the game in question Sullivan believed the umpire missed a strike, in a pinch, and he was about to kick when he noticed the plate was almost obscured by dust. He stopped, and, wiping the dust away with his big glove, squatted behind the batter and signaled the pitcher. Imagine Sullivan’s surprise, as he waited for his pitcher, to hear the umpire say his services were no longer required in that particular game. “Why, I haven’t opened my mouth,” said the surprised catcher. "I realize that,” replied the ump, “but you are entirely too proficient with the deaf and dumb language.”

“That reminds me of how I was chased under peculiar circumstances," chirped Matty Mclntyre. “In a game at Detroit, when I was a Tiger, an umpire called what I thought was a bad strike. To show my indignation I walked in a circle around the umpire and catcher. I didn’t mean a thing, but I was sore.

“The crowd took the cue and started after the umpire. When I resumed my position in the box the ump remarked: “ ‘Well, Mclntyre, you march so well, suppose you earry the parade to the clubhouse.’ ‘“You don’t mean I’m out of the game, do you?’ I demanded. “‘That’s just it. You missed your calling when you began playing ball. You’d make a better soldier.* And I had to beat it.” “Fielder Jones and Tim Hurst pulled a funny one,” said Doc White, the great southpaw pitcher. “I was pitching and Fielder was not agreeing with Tim’s ruling. As was his habit, he would rush in from center to dispute the point with Tim. “Finally the foot race and argument got on Tim’s nerves and he decided to stop it. As Jones started in for the ’steenth time Hurst hurried from behind the bat to meet him. Jones guessed Tim’s intention and stopped to talk with George Davis at short. But Hurst was not to be fooled. -.“.'Keep on a-eoming, Jones; until you get to the clubhouse,’ Hurst shouted angrily, while Jones and Davis talked. “‘Why, I haven’t said a word to you,’ answered Jones, surprised. “ ‘lt’s not what you’ve said, but what you’re thinking' about "me,’ replied Hurst, and, despite Jones’ promise, Tim stood firm.”

Matty Mclntyre, Former American League Star.