New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-28

years ago a fan who was sitting just
back of the Cubs bench had been
riding" KLEIN throughout the game.
He got Bills goat, and when he could
stand it no longer he came dashing
toward our bench. He was so mad
that his eyes were fairly bullying out.
He looked so funny that we had to
laugh at him. He looked US all over
carefully and then said: 81 don't know
who it is, but | can't go back behind
the plate without getting some one.
So, Evers, you go to the clubhouse"
In spite of my proteststions and those
of Frank Chance, l had to go.
Another time that KLEIN missed
one" was during the play-off game be-
tween the Giants and Cubs at the
Polo Grounds on October 8, 1908
Chance protested at being called out
at first base. The rest OF US were
turning somersaults in the dugout
in front of our bench. Artie Holman
was getting a drink of water. He
was about the orly one who was not
taking q hand in the uproar. 1t was
Artie that Klein picked on and chased
to the clubhouse.
One evening, in Pittsburgh, l met
Hank O'Day, with friend Of his from
Chicago. We chatted for 8 while, and
then his friend remarked: "It's funny
TO see you fellows so friendly off the
ball field. | always thought you were
the bitterest of enemies" Hank re-
piled: "Well, to-morrow's another day
Sure enough, the next afternoon, with
his friend seated in the grandstand
Hank and myself collided, a.. ! he chased
me off the field in the first inning.
1t may appear like egotisr and con.
ceit for me to refer to the Merkle play
but | want to tell you tn, real story
of how that play originated, for il
never has been told fore.
Just ten days prior to the play at the
Polo Grounds that some are prone "a
declare cost the Giants the National
League pennant in 1908, we were play
ing in Pittsburgh. II was on Septem-
was pitching for the Cubs against
Lefty" Leifeld, Of the Pirates, and
the game had reached the ninth inning
without a score by either side. The
Cubs failed to tally in the first half of
the inning. In the second half the
Pirates filled the bases, wit two out
A young first basemsn, just like Mer-
kle was at that time, named Gill, oc-
cupied first. The batter singled clean
ly over second. / yelled for the ball,
because Gill ran to the clubhouse, think
ing the game was over. | finally got
1t and touched second base.
All of the players and many Of the
fans had left the park-the old exhi-
bition grounds-by that time, but
Chick Fraser and myself remained be-
hind to argue with Hank 0'Day over
q nj 10 col IN no
that the game was over.
Reprimand for O'Day.
On the way back to the hotel in the
bus | explained the play to the other
ing Murphy sent for Chance and my
self, and sent a formal protest to
Harry Pulliam, who was then presi-
dent OF the league; The protest was
not allowed, but 0'Day got reprimand
for not watching the game more close.
ly. O'Day stopped at the hotel the
next day to have the play explained 10
him. For this reason, ODay was look.
ing for the play in the game at the
Polo Grounds, which he happened 10
be umpiring, ten days later.
There are those who have asserted
that ! am the enemy of all umpires
that like nothing better than to
step on them whenever | get the
chance. To prove that this Is not so, |
want TO cite an incident that happened
in 1913, when was attending the meet
ing Of the National Association, in
Milwaukee. While there ! recommend
ed an umpire to the president Of the
Pacific Coast League. He received q
position and worked his way into the
big league. He is Bush. an umpire Of
the National League.