The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-08
TIM HURST, THE BRUISER
SOME OF THE FIGHTS IN WHICH THE
UMPIRE HAS FIGURED.
Nearly MObbed at Pittsburg and Gin
cinnnti-The Only Man Who Ever
BIuffed Captain Arson.

there is no doubt, says the New York
World, that Umpire Hurst's outbreak at
Cincinnati Wednesday will terminate his ca
reer as a National League umpire. President
Young may not remove him. but his reap
pointment next season is quite out of the
question. AS a matter of fact, it is said
that Hurst's fate in this respect was set
tied some time ago. 1t will be remembered
that in 1895 President Young sprang a SEN
sation by failing to reappoint Tim
on his staff of umpires. Hurst
had always been a great favorite
with Mr.. Young, and it developed
that a majority of the clubs had entered
a vigorous protest against the little fellow.
At hat time it was said that Hurst's lam
guage and actions towards the players were
behind the protest, as well as his prize-ring
connections.
Hurst readily secured occupation in the
Eastern League, President Powers, of that
organization, being delighted at the oppor-
tunity to sign such a tip-topper. Through
various influences, notably President Byrne,
of Brooklyn, the return of Hurst to the Ma
tional League was made possible and Pres
ident Young reappointed him in the late
summer Of 1895.
Since then Hurst has had a great deal
of trouble with ball players. Tim is an ag-
g~ressive, square-jawed frebrand, with abso-
lutely no control over his temper. He knows
nothing of policy or dignity. Absolutely
fearless as far as personal courage is con-
cerned, he fights the roughs of the ball field
with their own ammunition. As a result of
this system the newspapers have teemed
from time to time with accounts of per-
sonal alterations between the umpire and
pugnaciouS players, and Hurst has gained
quite an ~unenViable reputation. 1t is no
secret that the players of several clubs
have banded against him. These men ar
gued: Now, this fresh guy is lookin' for
trouble and wen give it to him." With
a man of Tins inttammable spirit ii was
easy enough to make trouble, ana Hurst's
path this season has been very rocky. The
Pittsburg mobbing is still fresh in mind.
HURST is A FIGHTER.
For several years the Cincinnati grounds,
at which the riot occurred Wednesday,
were barred to Hurst, as it was not deemed
safe to let him umpire there. In 1892 he
umpired a game there between che Louis
villes and the C%incinnatis. The Reds were
in the lead and wanted the game called on
account of darkness. Dilatory tactics were
INDUCED in, but Hurst swore that he would
play nine innings if he did it by moonlight.
The balls ran out and there were none
forthcoming from the home bench. Hurst
was frantic and ran under the stand, a
sort of beer annex, looking for Manager
Bancroft. A crowd gathered around the
official threatening!y, ordering him to call
the game. A young fellow IN the foremost
ranks suddenly swung viciously for Hurst's
jaw. The blow just grazed him.
Well, my friend, muttered Tim, you'll
get yours, no matter what happens"
With this he took the heavy iron mask
he held in his hand and brought it down
with fearful force on the others face. 1t
was an awful blow and the blood spurted
in all directions. The crowd, ready to leap
upon the umpire, shrank back in horror,
and Hurst made his escape upon the field
with triting damage
Keep that crowd back" ordered Hurst
we ought to kill you" returned the po-
licemen, breaking into the vilest profanity.
In spite of the clamoring of the crowd
refused to call the game, and finally had
the full nine innings played. Cincinnati
won. Hurst did not umpire there again
This is only one of many scraps in
which Tim Hurst figured. During his first
years experience in the National League
became very much incensed in a
game at Cleveland over some audlbly ex-
pressed opinions of his work. Suddenly ne
called time and, to the complete surprise
of players and spectators, darted back 10
the grand stand. 1t is separated from the
diamond by rather a high wooden partition,
and Jumping to the top, Hurst grabbed the
rail and pulled himself over into the stand:
Running up half a dozen steps IN one OF
the alSIeS, he SlOpDCd bNAOlC CAC VI III
spectators and, exclaiming You're the
man. took hold of his shoulder: The man
threw Hurst's hand off and looked at him
in blank amaZement.
BY this time the police had arrived and
Hurst turned to them and insisted that the
man be put out of the grounds for insulting
him The spectator protested and refused
TO 90. Hurst declared If he didn't go the
game would stop. The manager OF the
CIeveland club consulted with the spectator
ana he finally walked toward the entrance.
Nv the time that Hurst had got back To
the diamond the man was back IN his seat
He was a red hot crank, and dldn want
to see Cleveland lose. Those who sat near
him always vowed that hurst h2d picked
ouf the wrong man. The umpire felt that
he had indicated himself, however, and
made no further hostile demonstrations
during the game.
THE PITTSBURG MOB.
This season Hurst got into a row with
some of the spectators at Pittsburg after
the game was over. and was accused of
striking one OF them. He had to be pro-
tected by the police to get safely away
from the grounds. On the bali field he has
frequently threatened players with personal
castigation. and has invited them to pagi-
listic duels at his hotel after the game was
concluded. Generally these challenges have
been taken for what they were worth, COM
ing, as they did. in the heat of the game,
hut Hallman, of St. Louis. is credited with
going 70 the hotel at which Hurst had Sc