Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-23

a unique and amusing character OF the
diamond. Hurst believed in answering
ball players in their own coin. thought 1t
best not to hand them any personal abuse,
though I'd fire them out of a game If
they deserved it just soon Tim
Still. l am proud To say. during all the
years 1 umpred l never called a ball
player any names.
Il managed to keep them under pretty
good control in those old. rowdyish days
by refraining from bad language or
abuse. Tim, meanwhile, played the UNI
pirfnS game the other way and got along
pretty neatly, too. No ball player could
confuse Tim or get his goat with any
ornamental language, for his ready Irish
wit was coming quick replies that left
the offender daZed and a target for the
ridicule of his own pals.
Tim wouldn't hesitate to soak a ball
player either with his good right mitt or
on decision. when he thought it was
necessary to teach disturber lesson.
One that l heard-though / wasn't there
to see twas horse on the Baltimores.
who were certainly a fearful gang when
1t came to fighting umpres.
Zone afternoon the Orioles were being
trimmed and were fighting like wildcats.
Presently they dubbed over and burned
up the grass round the home plate with
their phraseology. Tim answered them
in kind, stormed at them, chased one or
two, and still they kept on troubling.
AT last Jake Stencil slid for the plate.
He looked safe to the stand and to every
body, in fact. but Tim. You're out!''
yelled Hurst. Jake sprang up and rushed
at Hurst.
What did YOU call me out for. you
spfiicated brother TO a lop-eared mule?'
howled Jake.
~ called you out. you hungry looking,
sheep stealing Dutchman,' said Tim, be-
cause your face gave me a pain. Now
get out of the game And Jake departed.
The story told on IIurst-how Tebeau
nroc oh. tai Hra1 xrSl
sursing against the ropes, and said, The
first bum decision YOU give, Tim, we'll
cut those ropes and let the mob in on
YOU, is actual fact. 1t was Baltimore
against Cleveland that day in Clevela nd.
and a desperate struggle. When Teheau
| made that crack Hurst merely looked
grimly at him and said never word.
Presently, with a full house, Joe Kelley
came up. He hit long foul way off
the line. Fair BALI yelled Tim. Run,
Joe. rum Then turning to Tebeau he
shouted, Now cut the ropes, you four
flushing hyena" But Pat didn't cut them.
Jack Sheridan is fine old umpire
always one of the very best and well
liked by the players. Sheridan had his
troubles, too, in the old days He used to
say that the toughest town was ST. Louis.
Going from the park the umpire had to
pass through a little runway between the
grandstand and bleachers. and the crowd,
leaning over the edge of the seats would
heave Missouri cucumbers on the umpire.
Ever a Missouri cucumber? Accord
ing to Sheridan they are two feet long,
three inches thick and stuffed with bright,
golden-yellow seeds about 1000 per Gu
cumber. If one of those burst on you
you can sit all night cleaning the seeds
off your uniform.
Il may be a little rusty on the game as
now played. and it is quite possible that
1t has advanced to a point undreamed of
in my time. Still ! can hardly imagine
any men faster or more Skillful than some
of the old players whom ] used 10 ad-
mire. Team work Is much boosted now
adays, and this that club is praised for
the elaborate system of its play when
either on the attack or defensive. Maybe
there are some wonderful improvements,
but for my part ! must be shown. The
old Cleveland team had spenuid sys-
tenn of attack, and the old Baltimores
had a system that differed from that OF
Cleveland, just as the teams We're differ
emit
"rebeau's team was composed of men
who were not lightning base runners nor
long hitters. Their one great speciality
was the placing of short. sharp singles in
succession, and I don't think there have
been many clubs that ever had anything
on them in this particular. They might
be called team of steady and reliable
pluggers, the kind that is always apt to
come through and outwear the other fell
lows.
were the fastest and flashicst ball club of
the age. Their playing fairly sparkled.
Less reliable at bat than Cleveland, they
were twice as quick on bases. .iere Te-
beau's men would depend on being pushed
around by timely singles the Orioles, once
on base, would advance by stealing and
get near enough to the plate for any kind
of hit to send them through.
THE BostOns. with Duffy and Mccarthy
as chief generals. had d fine team sys-
cannot SSp6
any modern teams. and back in the SOS
Anson's men worked like FURNISHED ma
chinery. Maybe the latter-day clubs are
mer.'