The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-29
JOHN H. GAFFNEY.

They call him the king of umpires-
nor is the title undeserved
John II. Gaffney is known by every
base ball enthusiast the country over,
as the greatest umpire in the bust
ness.
He made his reputation the first time
he umpired a national league game way
back in SO. The sixteen years that he
has been handling the indicator have
only served TO make more permanent
that reputation.
Not only is Gaffney the king of UNI
pires, but he is, today, the only one
of the old-timers actively interested in
the national league. Calf" has seen
) Ohm Morrill,, Al Wright, Charley Ben
nett, Rowe and q host of other vet
Grams pass off the stage The last of
the old guard to leave the national
league was Papa" Arson, whose re-
tlrement came last year.
Gaffney was not born in Worcester,
yet he is essentially a Worcester boy.
He first saw the light of day in Bos-
ton in IS, but he came to Worcester
When IL years of age and has lived
mere since then. 1t was while going
TO the Worcester schools that he first
TOOK an interest in base ball, and when
Ii years OF age was playing third base
on local juvenile team which sported
the name of the Phoenix Club. On the
same nine was Teddy" Courtney, who
afterwards gained distinction by his
playing behind the bat for the old Ma
zeppas. "Gaff'' outgrew the Phoenix
team and then went with the Irvings,
anOt her nina no s,,&n
Saturdays and holidays playing scrub
games with other local teams.
The first dollar ever earned by Gaff-
hey as ball player came in centennial
year, when he Joined the old Raymalz
efs OF worcester, where he looked after
everything that went the way of third
base. The Haymakers used to play ON
the falr grounds against the Websters.
the Rollstones of Fitcnburg and a lot
OF other similar clubs. They We're
strong teams in those DAYS. Gradually
GafIney's reputation as a bail player
increased, and in IT he signed with
the Live Oaks of Lynn. He started
out the season of rs with Westboro,
put soon found more money PLAYING
IN Clinton, and he was with the team
OF that town for the remainder of that
year and all through 10
In the fall of 10 Gaffney had a
chance to go into the national league to
play the following season. But in the
winter intervening, while throwing a
snow pail, he threw his arm out, and
mat ended his career a> ii ball PLAYER.
ne next three Years he devoted to
ms trade, that of 4 printer. and in
MS spare moments ran a number of
1901 races-for Gaffney III his time was
the best short distance runner in the
city. He did 100 yards at the fair
grounds one Christmas day in 10 1-2
seconds, and a little later defeated the
then invincible Tot Livingstone of
Nashua in a quarter mile race in time
that was fast for those days. 1t was
considerably better than a minute
Lots of money was waged on the re.
suit and Gaffney's hackers came home
gold. LA
AS an umpire Gaffney blossomed into
prominence in 1888 as official umnire
Tor the college series in which Brown,
Harvard and Yale were contesting
NICK Young, who was president Of the
natloha! league then as now, heard of
GaHhey's success with the indicator
IN those stubbornly fought college
games, and determined to give him a
chance in the major league. That
president Young had the utmost con-
ndence in "Gaff's" ability from the
very start, was shown by the fact that
ne was assigned to q Providence Bos-
ton game in Boston, each team at that
time having 81 games TO its credit and
tieo for first place.
1t IS an interesting coincidence that
the 1lrst national league game in which
the greatest umpire in the business
oihclated, should have been one of the
greatest games in the history OF the
league. Old time rooters to this dav
delight to tell Of that memorable 10
game. Thirteen innings were PLAYED
and the single run of the game came
IN the last half of the last inning. when
Arthur Irwin drove the ball through
hole in the fence. A home run re-
suited, and the game was won and
lost. This was the FIRST of the series
OF -FOUR games between the two teams
and in those four games but seven runs
We're scored by both teams.
Gaffney said the other evening that
he would never forget his feelings be-
lore ne went upon the field to unDire
that first game, 1t was the first. last
and only time he had experienced stage
fright When he reached the grounds
1000 people had assembled to see the
TWO clubs do battle. Gaffney went TO
capt. Morrills dressing room to pre-
pare for the game, and while there
he heard a conversation in the adioin-
ing dressing room that was anything
but reassuring for the then tyro.
Here is the way "Gaff'' tells the
story himself. Il remember / was put-
ting on pair of brand new shoes when
| saw Burdock, the second basenan
for Boston, go by the window and en-
ter the next dressing ROOM There
WasF{a crowd of the Boston PLAYERS
the I and they were discussing the
ch, ices of success. Burdock as soon
as ne entered the room broke out with
Il don't see what Nick Young Is
thinking of to send up to the rural
districts of Worcester to get a hayseed
to umpire this game. Just wait till we
get him on the field" Burdock's talk
struck responsive chord with the
other men, and l came within an ace
Of pulling off my clothes and coming
back to Worcester
But on second thought, / decided TO
see it out and to fight if needs be. /
hnally mustered up sufficient courage to
go out and jump over the fence into the
diamond. As soon as / got out there
! felt perfectly at home. ] didn't have
the least bit Of trouble and both teams
after the game complimented me upon
my work. That gave me courage, and
from that day to this ! think can say
have never had any trouble with
players or spectators
Gaffney remained an umpire in the
National League until the fall of SO,
when he assumed the management of
the Washingtons and was with them