Evening star., 1954-12-10


stripe both. Furthermore, they knew 1t.
D., ~
MCGOWAN WAS A LITTLE guy who felt he deserved
to be part OF the show He took charge often when he
not behind the plate umpiren-chief. Sometimes he
impetuous perhaps but he anything but
of the a-trne best of his calling ~
As example only twice in nearly 80 years has an
American LeagL umpire been suspended Quite few have
been quietly fired requested to resign but only twice
suspension-both times to MCGOWAN
The first time in 1948 after squabble with the
Senator's less and semming from dispute which orig
inay began with Plate Umpire Art Passarela Seeking
protect his younger colleague MCGOWAN wound in the
middle and set down for 10 days by President Will
Harridge.
That was the year of the only pennant payof in the
leagues hstory-Red sox Indians in single game
1t was significant that behind the plate that moentous
afternoon in Boston Bill MCGOWAN Hardge taking
no chances. He was going with the best.
AS HE OLDER and began to suffer from diabetes
umpiring toll MCGOWAN. Doubleheaders
and night baseball help One less proud OF his craft
might have soughed of, but not Willie He worked his
turns, but often finished pale and exhausted.
MCGOWAN highly strung. He put into game every
thing he had which probably is why ball players think he
missed fewer calls than any umpire who lived Back
in the late 192os and the 1s3os there like him.
Albert Dolly Stark Without trying, but actually being
himself Dolly added something to ball game
Like MCGOWAN Billy Evans, Moran and few others,
Stark was versatile As player he reached the majors
before the Senators rejected him for his batting stroke He
basketball Dartmouth umpred broadcast baseball
retired become
quit umpng after 1895 when he refused
again years later you're abused, taunted
and rdculed he explained ncompetents who aren't good
enough play day sit the bench and enjoy them
calling you the viest imaginable It isn't that
couldn't take this sort of thing any more wouldn't take IT,
MCGOWAN, ALTHOUGH AN ADROIT after-dinner
speaker author newspaper articles
umprng school in Florida, was unlike Stark career"
umpire He started when he 49, really maored in nothing
else
His second suspension 1852 amusing In St. Louis
the Tigers and Browns were carrying vendetta. When
MCGOWAN, and weary, decided the language had got
beyond ordinary bench joceyng talk he ordered Detroit
player in the dugout to leave the premises.
In the pressbox high above Sporsans Park is difficult
to directly below and the query was phoned down.
who is being put out Of the game"
MCGOWAN, patience exhausted received the message on
the field and snapped Tel them write them letter"
From the pressbox, where hot testing as
the field, came caustic
"Can you write?"
MCGOWAN messaged this taunt 'e them If they could
write they would be in New York"
BRUISED FEELINGS the part of the st. Louis press
inspired protest to Harridge and for an apology
from MCGOWAN 1t not recalled whether the apology
made but Harrdge tongue in cheek perhaps suspended the
umpire indefinitely" After four days was back
in action.
Hardly anybody held any grudges against MCGOWAN
During the years. when gasoline ration stamps were
precious MCGOWAN had his automobile Philadelphia where
he was officiating The tank empty Bill lost his
stamps and he had urgent car after the game
to keep business appointment
After he had finished dressing, MCGOWAN found the
stand below empty except for Jimmy Dykes then
manager of the Athletics It just McGowans hard luck
he felt to have been forced to eject Dykes from the playing
field earlier Maybe just maybe Dykes might have
spare stamp.
Dykes still burning. When he learned of Bills plight
He pulled from his pocket handful of stamps, thrust
them in Mccowans st and wordlessly stalked off,