The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-18
En1Slie an Umpire for More
Than Quarter of Century
Bob, Veteran Holder of Indicator Started Playing
Baseball in His Youth-Ganed Fame as
Pitcher in Canada in Later '7Os.
BY FREDERICK @. LIEB.

Ono OF the pleasing bits of informa-
ton announced from the National League
Offices last winter was the statement
John Heydler. president OF the league.
that Bob Emslie would be retained as
a regular umpire in the coming season.
A few years ago old Bob was only a
substitute, but his work has been 80
successful during the last two seasons
that HeydIcr did well In putting him
back ON the regular stan.
They may chide Bob about his wig
and tell him he Is "as blind as bat"
but just the same old Bob continues to
hold his own with the best.
The season of 1919 marks Emslie's
twenty ninth successive year as Ma
tional League umpire, as he came into
the league on August 10. 1891. On Au-
gust 10, 1915, the National League had
quite q celebration In honor OF his twen-
ty-flfth National League birthday.
Emslie Is n Canadian and was born
in that extremely virtuous city OF
Guelph, Ontario, on June 81, 1851, which
would leave Robert at the dignified age
OF 81. Later in life Mr.. Emslie removed
himself and all his earthly belongings
to the lovely little city OF st. Thomas.
Canada, where he now resides 1t was
many, many seasons ago that Emslle
was first heard OF in baseball Along
In the late '70s young hurler. was
making a great reputation as an expert
in making a baseball curve and curve In
very deceptive manner. Emslie soon
gained recognition as one of the best
pitchers In Canada, which OF course was
not saying much. for there were but few
hurlers OF class residing within the do
mains of Queen Victoria at that period.
Started with TIP O'NeiII.
Emslie became 80 proficient in throw
ing curves that he was hired to pitch
for q team representing Harriston, On
tario. This was about 1878. Harriston at
that time contained fully 500 souls. and
young Bob was given a position IN the
leading hotel as head clerk. which meant
at the very best his board and lodging.
Besides this Emslie was paid so much
per game. ranging from $3.50 TO s1.75.
On tho Same team with Bob was the
famous Tip O'Nell. who later in his
career framed up the highest batting
average for one season in the big league.
With DO much undiscovered talent within
its ranks the Harrston Browns were
considered the fastest going bunch in all
the country around them. For a short
time they were on a war footing with
the Maple Leafs OF Guelph and tho Te-
cumsehs OF London with the famous
Goldsmith as their hurler. Bob Ems
lie was some shucks those days, and
the manner in which he could bend a
baseball around a batter's neck filled
the natives as well as the opposing bats
men with utter amaZement.
Emslie pitched for Guelph during the
season sof lSs0-S1, and was fast becom-
ing a great star. His wonderful work
| for that team made II famous. In the
season of 1882 Emslie was signed to
pitch for the famous Merritt club of
Camden. N. j.. then member of the
| Interstate League. With that team
Emslie began his real career in profess
sional baseball.
During the two seasons he was with
the Camden team his work was OF the
phenomenal order. In the spring series
OF exhibition games he created sensa-
ton after sensation by tho manner in
which he put the Indian sign on many OF
the big league teams he pitched against
| In the regular season OF the Interstate
circuit Emslie was practically unhittable,
and II seemed as II II were utterly i'm
possible for him TO hurl a poor game.
| Through this marvellous work Emslie
was signed by tho Baltimore club OF the
American Association, and about the
middle OF the season OF 1883 began his
career as a major league pitcher. lie
finished that season in fine style. but II
was in 1884 that Emslie came TO be con-
sldered one OF the leading hurlers OF the
period. He began the season of 1884 by
winning seventeen games out of the first
twenty -one. and his pitching was a deep
mystery 20 all batsmen OF that big cir
cult OF the ffty-one league games he
pitched that season he lost but eighteen,
and over half OF them we're six hit
affairs or less. BY whiting 269 batsmen
he sustained his reputation as a curve
ball artist.