The Washington herald., 1909-07-05
O'LOUGHLIN SCORED
Incompetent to Arbitrate,
Says Well-knOWn Critic.
MIsINTERPRETs THE RULES
Sensational Incident OF 1907 in
Game Between Philadelphia and
Detroit, on which Championship
of American League Hinged, Is
RecaIed-TOOk Wrong Course.

James c. 1saminger baseball writer on
the Philadelphia North American, has the
following to say about silk O'Loughlin:
Baseball fans in the various cities
Of the American League are just be-
ginning to realize that the sensational
methods and dramatic bearing of silk
O'Loughhn have obscured the fact that
he is an incompetent umpire,
Ball players knew several seasons. ago
that his judgment was erratic and un-
sound. but OLoughiin's cIOwnlsh man
ners and his droH 'stee-rike tuh' made a
big hit with the fans, and he soon en-
joyed an immense following that seldom
is earned by a bas ball arbiter But ali
this time the ball PLAYERS saw that
O'Loughhn was committing blunders that
would not be tolerated from other UNI
pires-
THE fans never reviled OLoughlin
after the manner in which they usually
show their disapprovaI when a mistake
has been made They simply reveled in
his bunOOnery and a sudden infection
Of the voice or some other comic byplay
stopped any hostile feeling that spectators
momentarily had.
Iayented own Rules.
The big trouble about O'I.oughlin was
that he threw the playing regulations Of
the American League to the four winds
and invented his own rules. So filed was
he with ego over the applause Of the
fans and the favorable notices he re-
ceived in newspapers that he began a
czarlike reign. in which he gave deci-
sions that We're in direct violation of the
letter OF the law
His first glaring misinterpretation Of
the rules took place three years ago in
a game in New York Near the close OF
the game New York player knocked
Knight of the Athletics. down.
This let a New York player score. and
the Athletics protested 10 OLoughIin.
New York players also gathered around
the umpire. While players Of both sides
were talking 10 the umpire. the bleacher
crowds suddenly rushed out on the field.
and II was impossible for the teams 20 re
sumo playing.
Then O'Loughlin forfeited the game TO
New York, 70 o. This was an extraordi-
ly say that when a crowd pOurs out on
the field and prevents further playing
the game should be forfeited to
the visiting team.
Took Wrong Course.
In this instance there is no doubling
O'Loughlin's course. He should have for
feited the game TO the Athletics on the
grounds that the Highlanders were un-
able 70 control their crowd, which action
was unquestionably warranted by the
rules, but O'Loughlin, casting the rules
aside, awarded the game TO New York.
The sensational incident OF 1907 when
a pennant hinged on the Athletics final
series with Detroit on the home grounds
will never be forgotten in Philadelphia
IN this game. Davis drove a hit into the
crowd which would have brought VIC
tory and a pennant 10 the Mackmen. but !
" Loughin declared that a policeman /
had interfered with Crawford and de-
clared Davis ont, although thousands Of I
eyes In the stands could not detect the |
slightest bit Of interference.
Manager Mack obtained a number of /
afhdavits. which were subsequently sent
10 President Johnson. BY this time De-
troit was declared the pennant victor and
was IN the thick Of a world series with !
Chicago
"Afterward President johnson. admitted
70 Mack that he had turned a very i'm /
pressive exhibit Of evidence over to him
but that he could not well reverse /
OLoughlin, because it was too late 1t
may be added that thereafter O'I,ouebIIn
never found an appreclatfve crowd In this
city His 'stee-rike tub and other bits
This season OLoughlln's unpopularitv
has measurably increased. New York /
critics charge him with distorting the
rules OF baseball in a recent game there
ana Intairness in removing a player from /
the game. That is not a marker TO the /
trouble into which O'Loughlin got in
That Washington Protest.
Persons high in official Washington
life' including members OF the Interstate
Commerce Commission. went so far as
10 send communications to President
johnson charging O'Loughnn with in
and showing q hostile att,-
tude toward Manager Cantilloa and sew
aral Washington players who were order
ed out Of the game Surely no high Off
GERS at the nations Capital would take
such uncommon and unparalleled action
Il some serious wrong had not been com
mitted
IN addition. Boston has already. sent its
protest Of O'LOughlin 20 the American |
League headquarters. so that the once
popular clown umpire is now discredited
N half Of the cities IN the American
League circuit.
IN contrast 10 OLoughIin is the ol1iet
iignihed manner Of Tom Connolly. Con-
molly commands the respect Of player and
ian because he comes on the field solely
10 give decisions and not to amuse rha
crowd with his comic antics.
He gives each decision quickly. and
ais whole attitude reflects a man who IS
serious with his work. and who strives
20 I've lfD TO the letter OF baseball law in
IFS verCicts This is as IL shouI6 be
Nobody would Put a clown on the bench
o interpret the law Of the country. and
he same should apply 10 baseball.
"OLoughlin formerly thrived on his the
ltrical bearing, but he will have 10 dron
lis antics and give serious attention to
IFS work. or he may not hold his place
IN the American League stan very long"
Chadbourne. Of the Indianapolis club.
$ credited with the longest home run" I
u the season. He jumped his team and
'eat II 70 his home I'm New England. ,
ToJ Need Not Stint Yourself
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