Clipping:Arranging and paying an umpire
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| Date | Sunday, August 29, 1875 |
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| Text | [the St. Louis refuse to play the Athletics with William McLean as umpire] The Globe-Democrat reporter, meeting Mr. Jos. P. Carr, who is prominently identified with the St. Louis club, got his version of the affair. Mr. Carr stated, “that, while in Philadelphia, a triangular arrangement was entered into between the St. Louis, Athletic and Chicago clubs by which Mr. McLean was to accompany the Athletic on their present tour and umpire five games here for the Brown and five in Chicago for the White. He was to receive $125 for this service, and all his expenses were to be paid by the three clubs. McLean did not give satisfaction to the St. Louis club in the game on Monday, and the indignation against him being so bitter, it was determined by the management that he should not act yesterday. The Brown endeavored to come to an understanding with the Athletic on the subject, but failed to do so. The names of innumerable well-versed ball-players were presented, but the visitors would listen to no change. The St. Louis managers, as a last resort, proposed to take Fisler, one of the Athletic players. This offer was refused. The Blue finally expressed a willingness to have Bechtel, one of their subs, act if the Brown would allow some one to run for Fisler, whose foot is sprained. This was agreed to, but on arriving at the park, Bechtel was found to be in uniform, and the visitors went back on the arrangement. This was Mr. Carr's story, told with indignation. … Anxious to learn what the Athletic had to say on the subject, the same reporter hunted up Mr. Charles Spering, the president of that organization, and held a brief interview with him. Mr. Spering claimed that while in Philadelphia the St. Louis club selected Mr. McLean from a number of names furnished to umpire these Western games. The Athletic strongly objected to the gentleman in question, but as the St. Louis held out for him, and would accept no one else, they finally agreed to bring him along. The arrangement, he said, was consummated by Mr. Bishop. Mr. Spering asserted that McLean did not violate the rules of the game in any respect on Monday, and after selected him, they would not insult him by choosing some one else to take his place. Both clubs having agreed upon McLean to umpire the game yesterday, and the Brown refusing to play, Mr. Spering said, according to the rules, the game was forfeited, and the club which he represented claimed the penalty. A warm discussion took place between the officers of the rival organizations for some minutes after the hour to commence play had arrived, and strong efforts were made to accomplish some sort of a compromise, in order that the large crowd present might not return to town disappointed, but the Athletic would no yield an inch, and the Brown would not allow McLean to act. This did the business. The visitors entered their omnibus and drove off, amid the jeers and scoffs of the crowd. A scrub-game followed, but all who desired to leave the park did, and their entrance fee was returned them as they made their exit. With this plain statement of facts, outside parties can arrive at their own conclusions as to where the blame rests.” [A discussion follows of the failings of McLean as umpire.] |
| Source | Philadelphia Sunday Republic |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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