Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-22
By Umpire Billy Evans.

BY Umpire Billy Evans.
Empires often help teams to victory by
decisions that are absolutely correct, but
which prove the turning point in the
game.
1t seems to be tradition in base ball
that when a player is elected from the
field his successor Immediately jumps
into popular favor by turning some trick
that wins the game. Any umpire can
recall a dozen instances when he has
changed the entire complexion of con-
test by a certain ruling that was mani
testify fair to both sides.
Base ball contains one case where the
umpire turned an apparent defeat into
victory by an unquestionably correct rul-
ing and by the same ruling caused the
passing of the player involved from the
major leagues. 1t is rather strange
fact that the player in question never got
another chance to show in the big
leagues.
The incident dates back to 1905. In a
game played at Boston between the Bos-
ton Americans and the Chicago White
Sox Tip ONeil. now with Minneapo-
lis, was playing the outf1eld for Chicago
at the time. Jack Sheridan was doing
idan could not agree very we'll that after
noon. The breach widened, until the
dean of umpires deemed it best to dis
miss Mr.. O'Neil from the pastime for the
rest of the afternoon. Little was thought
of the incident at the time, for it was
not unusual for Tip" to retire to the
clubhouse at the request of the umpire.
Dougherty's Chance.
II seems that the Chicago club a few
days previous had purchased Pat
Dougherty from the New York
Americans. He was assigned to take
O'Neirs place 1t must have been just
the opportunity Dougherty was awaiting.
for he made good with a vengeance.
Chicago was several runs behind at the
time of ONeil's dismissal, but Dougherty
won the day with his bat, getting a trio
of hits that turned what seemed certain
defeat into victory. When ONeirs sus-
pension was raised DOugherty was play
ing like a house afire, and Tip was
forced to adorn the bench for the rest
Of the year. That was five years ago.
O'Neil passed out of the league that win
ter, but Dougherty is still regarded as a
star in Chicago.
l shall never forget a peculiar mix-up
l had with the Washington club summer
before last. that resulted in the Nationals
winning the only game out OF nineteen
played on very disastrous western trip.
just prior TO the game Germany
Schaefer called me aside and whispered
the following into my ear:
Say. Bill, j feel very much on the
bum today. and you would do me a
great favor if you would put me out
of the game early in the contest. I'll
promise to do the kicking if you will
promise to put me out" He further
informed me that a friend of his had
taken him out for an auto ride the
evening before When they were about
twenty-five miles out in the country, some
four or five miles away from the near
est farmhouse, tire blew out. Also
their steering gear was badly damaged
1t was late in the evening then AS II
took considerable time TO get help, it
was in the wee hours Of the morning
when they finally reached the city II
was an extremely hot afternoon This.
coupled with the loss Of sleep. made
Schaefer feel like doing something
other than playing ball
j advised him to make known his tale
of woe To Manager Joe Cantiilon. that
in all probability he would excuse him
for the afternoon He informed me that
Joe had refused to even listen 10 his
sad story. Up To that time the Nationals
had dropped fourteen straight, so it was
not at all surprising that Cant1llon was
in mood to turn deaf ear TO his re-
quest. | told Schaefer that ! was sorry.
hut that / could not see how / could
would have to play.
Herman's Prayer.
There isn't a chance for me to play
the whole game, BILL" he answered.
You better put me out eaRly, for I'm
going to keep objecting until you do"
go as far as you like. Herman" /
answered
| On the first trip to the plate, in the open
| ing inning, he stood still and rather smiled
as I called him out on perfect strikes.
| | knew he intended to object when
called the third one. j was working
/ back of the pitcher ut the time. and as
soon as l called IL ] turned my back
10 the plate and walked over to the
/ ShortStop and said few words to him,
/ lust as stall. In the meantime
Schaefer was offering up a prayer at
the plate, but l refused to see it.
| Failure to get put out in the first inning
simply caused Herman to make up his
mind all the more firmly that he would
get chased at the very next opportunity
4 His chance came in the fourth inning
when / called him out on a very close
play Rushing over TO where / stood Ii.
dropped down on his knees and offered
Iup another prayer.
/ Naturally the crowd. not knowing of the
little plea Schaefer had made TO me be.
| fore the start of the game wondered
| how ! lei him get away with the frs
| kick | simply had To chase Schaefer II
| protect myself. and when l finally ordered
| him out OF the game he smiled with de-
light. Bob Cnglaub, peeved that Her