The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-15
Covaleski Again Proves
Puzzle To The PelicdnS
PITCHERS MAKE
BEST UHIIR1S
SAYS CRANE

New York, August -4-Umpires O'Day.
Emslie and Eason of the National league
stan were all big league pitchers in their
playing days, and the trio were fairly
good twirlers. Neither one was Chris
ty Mathewson In the box, but all made
their mark
The question arises in these days of
"umpiraticar' disturbances, whether
pitchers make the best umpires. There
are some players who firmly believe there
is no such thing as good umpire. but
these sort of fellows are the ones who
have perpetual grievances and never
think they are out
Second Baseman knabe of the Phillies
is player who was never put out justly
in his fair young life Why. 1 have seen
Knabe dispute the umpires decision when
an opposing player caught fly ball off
his bat and it was not a pickup either
There are several other players, too, who
invariably kick on strike called on
them. Those kind, it is needless to say
cause the umpires more worriment than
can well be imagined, and deserve all
the penalties that may be inflicted on
them.
When President Tom Lynch of the Ma
tional league makes his promised rear
ransement of his umpire staff next year
there will be other old players appointed
than were pitchers, and we will see
whether or not 1t requires man to have
been a twirler to make the best.
Among those old players who will be
considered by President Lynch are Fred
To
Every one of these was what is known
as "heady" ball players. well up on the
points of the game, splendid players,
quick in thought and action, and appar-
entity excellent playing judgment. Ten
ney Is already assured of his appointment
and should by his past record as a player
and a gentleman make a splendid Off
cal Fred was a catcher and a good
one, too when he first Joined the Boston
club fresh from Brown university, but
after a year behind the bat he was
shifted to first base. a position in which
he made the enviable record he now en-
joys. He caused a sensation with his
style of playing the bag and was consid-
cred the best first baseman who ever
guarded that station until Hal Chase
flashed across the baseball armament and
carried all before him.
kid" Gleason was originally a pitcher
and one of the best In his day. But later
he became a second baseman. In his
youthful days Gleason had his own trou-
bles with umpires and kicked good and
hard when he thought decision was
wrong He was seldom unreasonable in
his objections, however, and that fact
should not enter into the merits OF his
ability of filing an umpre's position.
Jack Doyle, however, was terror lie
probably had as many clashes with UNI
pires as has Clark Griffith, and went
much further than the manager OF the
Reds. One incident l can remember that
the present head of the National league
when umpiring found IT necessary to
punch .Doyls ~ the nose. This happened
on the National league grounds in Bos-
ton. Umpire Lynch made public apol-
osv the next day in front of the grand
stand for his hasty action. but | think
also insinuated that he would do the same
thing again under a like provocation.
Hank ODay and | consider him one
of the best of umpires when he wants
to be SUCH when player did not throw
any fits in his efforts to smooth the
paths of any umpires and neither did
Emslie nor Eason for that matter. Ihey
are only getting some of their own med
cine now.
There. have been old players who nave
made failures as umpires, any quantity
of them, in fact There were Tim Keefe,
Jim O'Rourke, and Roger Conner, VINO
made very poor decisions.
But when old players do make good
they invariably make the best, and IL is
President Lynchs intention to give that
class the first show hereafter.
And he Is wise.