Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-14
TIMOTHY HURST
A UNIQUE UMPIRE
BiIIy Evans Writes Entertain
ingIy of His Old Side
Partner.
By Billy Evans.

tiers has probably been lost TO the major
league for good.
The man referred TO is that dispenser
OF choice repartee and good humor. TIM
-othy Carroll Hurst late Of Ashland, fa.'
but more recently of New York
In the passing of Tim Hurst from the
American League that organization lost
an official known from coast To coast 1or
his honesty. fearlessness and ready Wit.
After twenty years of service as an UNI
pire. he enjoys the proud distinction Oh
never having lost an argument
& The unfortunate ending of Tins career
as a major Lacquer came about over an
alleged expectoraton incident at Phiia-
deIphia, with Eddie Collins at the otner
end of the argument. Tim made a de-
scision that did not suit the Athletics sec
tond sacker. He strenuously disputed the
verdict Tim waved him aside, but Col
Inns persisted in continuing the debate.
1t was claimed that Hurst. in the neat Oh
anger, spat in the face of Collins.
Z As result of the little run-in, Tim lost
his job as an umpire on the American
League staff. While Tim cared little
about the loss of the job. as he is well
fixed financially. yet he did not like the
blot that had been cast on his career by
the many disgusting versions given of the
trouble Yet while all the fuss was being
made over the incident Tim never Iost
The fund Of good humOr that had helped
him out of many arguments, as was
proved by the little story that appeared
shortly after the Philadelphia episode:
few days after the affair with Collins
Tim was informed of his suspension oS
President Johnson. and Immediately re-
turned to New York 10 put in the time
awaiting final verdict in the case Nat
-urally, the trouble caused Tim to be ca
gerly sought after by interviewers desir-
Gus of getting information on all kinds of
subjects pertaining to umpiring, as wen
as the run-in.
Always courteous. Tim gave each in
aterviewer an audience and freely an
swered every question. Tim insists that
inside of two weeks he repeated the story
of how he expectorated on another human
being no less than 2.OO2 times.
Finally one young man. after getting
Tins version of the affair-and. by the
way Tins story is that ne did not COM
nit the act that cost him his Job-asked
Mr.. Hurst what was the one best bit OF
advice he could give the ambitious young
umpire of the future
Tim at the time and still. figures that
he got the worst OF the trouble from
beginning to end. and naturally he was
q trihe sore at mind over the way the
affair had been aired to his detriment
What is the one best bit of advice 1
have for the coming UMPIRE. said TIM
othy. We'll. sir. that's pretty hard
wear plenty of protection L believe l
would recommend to him the addition Of
cuspidor 10 his paraphernalia."
Lest you forget. Tim was also strong
on sarcasm as well as humof.
The fans will miss Tim Hurst because
he always was a good target for them in
victory or defeat. The players will miss
him. Although they used to rave and tear
their hair when they thought ne booted
close one. still Tim was universally
lnn
gave the plays just as he saw them, and
knew no man could break down his iron
nerve.
Yes. Tim Hurst will be universally miss
ed BY the patrons of the league circuit
and also by the scribes. for Tim always
had something OF interest, good for half
"A column more. no matter how dull
things might be in the news line. No
class of men, however, will miss Sir Tim
othy more than the men of his own pro-
fession. the men who comprise the Ameri-
can League staff of umpires.
Every man MAKES mistakes: few men
have so many opportunities TO err as the
umpire. Every man hates to err. and
perhaps no man hates to do bungling
piece OF work more than an umpire. To
the average person, to err is TO worry.
Every umpire has his troubles, yet it's
a pretty good bet that the duties and re-
sponsib.lities OF the position rested more
lightly on the shoulders OF Tim Hurst
than on those OF any other man that ever
handled the indicator.
To be doubled up with Tim Hurst was
not to worry; and every umpire welcom-
ed the sight of Tins portly figure. To
read many of the stories credited to Tim
Hurst is to enjoy him, but to fully ap-
preciate the man one must be closely
associated with him.
Every member of the American League
STAFF felt a deep pang OF regret when
Tim dropped from the organization.
Hundreds OF interesting stories have
been related i'm which Tim always played
prominent part, and base ball history
has yet to record where Tim finished sec
oud in any of the debates.
Tom Hughes, once "A star OF the Wash
ington pitching staff. and Tim were al
ways great friends, Vet Tom always de-
lighted to get into a controversy with
Tim. despite the inevitable outcome.
Things broke bad for Hughes in the
early part OF the season just closed, and
he was finally sold to the Minneapolis
club Of the American Association. One
day. early I'm the season, Tom was work
ing his best. but no matter what he
served the opposing batters seemed I'M
able to connect for anything less than a
single. Tim Hurst was umpiring the
game, and Tom and Tim had several dis
cusSions over various incidents OF the
game. About the sixth inning at special
request from Manager Cantillon Tom
hied himself TO the clubhouse.
BY the time the game was over Hughes
had gotten into his street clothes and
as II happened got on the same car with
Tim. The car was crowded with fans
and Tom decided to have a little fun at
the expense of Tim. who was reading q
paper.
Forgot your glasses today. Tim said
Hughes with a large grin thrown in.
Nope: decided / didn't need them TO
what you had today was Tins
reply as he continued reading.
Just then IL occurred to Hughes that
he had forgotten something, and he left
the car in hurry with Tim I'm full sway
The late Doc Powers. who was the star
of Connie Mack's catching stan until the
Great Umpire declared him out, always
delighted in telling OF the first game he
ever caught with Hurst umpiring
Powers was always full of pepper and
In order to encourage his pitcher kept
up continuous chatter throughout the
game.
That's a peach" would be his comment
on a ball that was perhaps a foot wide of
the plate
Another pppin, Eddie" would be his
view of the next ball served by Plank,
despite the fact that Il was up around
the batter's eye.
lust like picking cherries. was an
other WAY OF expressing his belief that
tine ball copformed 10 all the regulations
Of strike.
rim rather enjoyed the ginger shown
ny the yolmgster. and for about six In
nines paid no attention to the chatter
Finally Tim called a batter out on ball
Ihas as trifie low. as he afterward ad-