1909 - To Washington
1909 Spalding's Base Ball Guide Published 1909- Elberfeld's batting average for New York is .237
March 7, 1909 - The New York Times - Elberfeld Called Home - His Little Girl stricken with Diphtheria - Kid Elberfeld has gone to his home in Lynchburg, Va., for a few days. His little girl has diphtheria. He expects to be back by next Saturday, earlier if possible. He wants to get all the practice he can at third base before the pennant race begins. One thing which please him is that the foot that was hurt this year is feeling stronger.
March 24, 1909 - Plattsburgh daily press, NY - Kid Elberfeld reported to Stallings at Macon Saturday and found the manager much impressed by the work of Austin, a young and hustling third baseman from Omaha.
April 6, 1909 - The New York Times - Augusta, Ga. - April 5., - Elberfeld walked to first four time [Note: Exhibition game.]
April 11, 1909 - The New York Times - Small Box Scare
April 20, 1909 - The New York Times - Elberfeld is Ill
May 7, 1909 SABR - Another significant bump occurred on May 7, 1909, in New York, three months before the spitting incident involving Eddie Collins. This time Hurst’s opponent was Highlander third baseman Kid Elberfeld. The Highlanders beat the Boston Red Sox in the bottom of the 12th, and the play that caused the ruckus occurred in the bottom of the 11th with the teams knotted at three apiece. Elberfeld stood at third with one out when teammate Joe Ward lifted a fly ball to left. Following the catch—or perhaps as one report had it, a little before—Elberfeld steamed for home. In his mind, he had beaten the throw from Red Sox left fielder Harry Niles and the game was over. He was stunned when Tim Hurst called him out, sending the game into yet another inning. Elberfeld had skirmished with Hurst before and was unwilling to back down. He rushed Hurst and jabbed him in the side. Hurst picked up his mask and swung away, striking Elberfeld in the jaw. After several Red Sox players intervened, Hurst tossed Elberfeld from the game.[fn]“Cree Drives Home The Winning Run,” The New York Times, May 8, 1909.[/fn] Hurst was suspended by Ban Johnson until May 13.[fn]Sporting Life, May 22, 1909, 11.[/fn]
May 8, 1909 - The New York Times - Elberfeld Punches Umpire Hurst
May 8, 1909 (Saturday) New York Sun - Tim Hurst and Kid Elberfeld had a runin in the eleventh inning over a decision and the Kid was put out of the game, getting a rap in the jaw from Hurst's ready first before he left the field. He was emphasizing his remarks by crowding up to Hurst, when the umpire reached across with a half arm jab and landed on the Kid's face. The player appeared as if about ready to return the compliment, but checked himself immediately and walked away. There wasn't anybody around with the authority to put Hurst out of the game.
A single to center by Elberfeld, Donohue's low throw to second of Engle's force and Chase's infield hit filled the bases in the eleventh with nobody out. Ward flied to Niles and Elberfeld tried to score on the play. The throw in was straight but high, and Elberfeld slid.
The Kid and several other New York players thought the game was over and started for the bench, but when Hurst motioned Elberfeld out the latter exclaimed the the catcher "never touched me!" He was touched by one Hurst a moment later. Knight ended the inning with a fly to McConnell.
Lake hammered the ball against the left field fence in the twelfth inning, Cree pushed a line single to rights and Lake was pressing the plate a few seconds later in absolute safety. The score: New York 4, Boston 3.
A single to center by Elberfeld, Donohue's low throw to second of Engle's force and Chase's infield hit filled the bases in the eleventh with nobody out. Ward flied to Niles and Elberfeld tried to score on the play. The throw in was straight but high, and Elberfeld slid.
The Kid and several other New York players thought the game was over and started for the bench, but when Hurst motioned Elberfeld out the latter exclaimed the the catcher "never touched me!" He was touched by one Hurst a moment later. Knight ended the inning with a fly to McConnell.
Lake hammered the ball against the left field fence in the twelfth inning, Cree pushed a line single to rights and Lake was pressing the plate a few seconds later in absolute safety. The score: New York 4, Boston 3.
May 8, 1909 - Buffalo Courier (Buffalo, New York) - Hurst Wallops Elberfeld - New York, May 7 - New York won an exciting twelve-inning game today from Boston by a score of 4 to 3. Lake, who relieved Newton in the fourth, bringing in the victory on his double and Cree's single. The locals had the bases filled in the eleventh inning with none out, yet failed to score. Elberfeld disputed with Umpire Hurst in this inning over a decision at the plate and shoved the referee, who retaliated by slapping the player in the jaw. By thus placing his hands on the umpire, Elberfeld put himself out of the game under the rules. Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York) had the same article but with the headlines: PLAYER AND UMP EXCHANGE SLAPS - Elberfeld and Hurst Have Disagreement. Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia) had identical but: HURST SLAPS KID ELBERFELD as a headline.
May 8, 1909 - The La Crosse Tribune (La Crosse, Wisconsin) - Umpire Hurst Hits Elberfield
May 8, 1909 - The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts) - The air was full of baseball in this inning. Elberfeld led off for New York with a single. Engle bunted in front of the plate. Donahue threw the ball short to second, and both men were safe. Chase singled, and the bases were full. Ward put up a short fly for Niles {left field], who threw home and nailed Elberfeld at the plate on the long end of a swell double play. The Tabasco Kid howled, pushed umpire Hurst, and was chased off the grounds, after which Knight flied out to McConnell, and Boston had pulled out a small hole.
May 8, 1909 - The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) - HURST-ELBERFELD ROW MAY BREAK OUT AGAIN - New York, May 8 - The big topic of conversation in sporting circles today is the fist fight between Tim Hurst, one Ban Johnson's indicator holders, and "Kid" Elberfeld of the New York Americans, which took place at American League park last night. Elberfeld slid into the plate on a long fly and thought he was safe. Hurst said out. Elberfeld lost control of himself and began to poke his finger against Hurst's chest protector, the while handing out a long line of talk reflecting on the umpire's eyesight. Hurst finally lost his temper and slapped Elberfeld in the jaw with the heel of his hand.
Elberfeld started to draw his back to smash the umpire but walked away. The incident was closed in a second or two but it is reported today that Elberfeld is to be suspended by the league officials.
If he draws a term for his action it is reported today, charges will be preferred Hurst. Stallings will not discuss the matter today while Hurst declared that is was a subject he could not talk about.
Elberfeld started to draw his back to smash the umpire but walked away. The incident was closed in a second or two but it is reported today that Elberfeld is to be suspended by the league officials.
If he draws a term for his action it is reported today, charges will be preferred Hurst. Stallings will not discuss the matter today while Hurst declared that is was a subject he could not talk about.
May 8, 1909 The Yonkers Herald (Yonkers, New York) - Big International Derby Marathon - All is in the ready for to-day's big race at the Polo Grounds. The officials are as follows: Starter; Hon. Timothy D. Sullivan: referee, Tim Hurst.
May 9, 1909 - The New York Times - Yankees Set Back by Red Sox Team -...Because of the unpleasantness between Elberfeld and Umpire Hurst on Friday, the spectators were curious to see what would come of it in the way of disappearance from the field. Elberfeld warmed up for the game: Hurst was not seen. Umpire Evens appeared at 3 o'clock and started the game, doing all the work himself, laboring as hard as any of the players. Word went around that Hurst had been suspended while Elberfeld had escaped. It was later learned that Hurst had absented himself to referee the Marathon race at the Polo Grounds. -
May 18, 1909 - The Spokane Press (Spokane, Washington) - Article Against Violence in Baseball - Article Against Violence in Baseball - Elberfeld slapped by Hurst
May 19, 1909 The Buffalo Enquirer (Buffalo, New York) - Tim Hurst and Elberfeld are Friends Again -An important even in society Monday was the reconciliation of Kid Elberfeld and Tim Hurst. Little Tim was booked to officiate at the game yesterday. Peppery Norman and Tim Hurst met and complimented each other on their batting abilities. "How are batting, Tim?" yelled the Kid at Timothy. "Fine as ever," retorted Hurst, "but I see you got a little something on me; you landed four in the last game in Detroit. I never got more than one in a game." After this bit of repartee the fans got together and talked over old times, the the Tobasco (sic.) Kid and Little Tim are once again joined in the bond of friendship.
May 22, 1909 - The Spokane Daily Chronicle - Elberfeld Hits Well - It commences to look as if Kid Elberfeld, the "Tabasco Kid," was not joking when he said he was going to land within the .300 circle this year. He is whacking the ball of the seam all the time, and playing steady ball at third. If he avoids discordant notes with the umpire an escapes injuries he will make a better record than for several seasons past. His continual bickering in past seasons has been decidedly detrimental to his club.
June 19, 1909 - The New York Times - Elberfeld is Banished
July 01, 1909 - The Madrid herald, NY - Elberfeld is the keystone of the New York American infield, and without him the structure is not nearly so strong.
August 9, 1909 - The Ogdensburg Journal. (Ogdensburg, N.Y.) - Stallings' views on the spike question is all the more interesting owing to the numerous accidents to his players. Laporte has been cut several times this season, and Keeler, Cree and Knight have also been victims, not to say anything of the past experiences of the battle-scarred Elberfeld. Stallings says the Tabasco Kid has more than fifty soars on his feet and legs as the result of being spiked, but this seems to be a lucky season for the "kid." Kid Elberfeld, who ought to know, says balls batted by George Stone are the hardest to field on account of the English which is imparted to them by the peculiar swing of the bat.
September 21, 1909 - The Ogdensburg journal, NY - FOURTH STRAIGHT FOR YANKS. New York, Sept. 20.—The New Yorks mixed hits with Cleveland's errors today and won their fourth straight victory from the visitors, 9 to 4. Orth was knocked out of the box in the third inning. Kleinow and Elberfeld retired on account of injuries.
November 14, 1909 - Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia) - Elberfeld out of NY
December 7, 1909 - The Ogdensburg Journal, NY - The Athletics and Highlanders were playing a series in midseason (1907) and in the first game Chase pulled off a play which was simply wonderful, when he dashed in on a bunt intended to advance a man from first, and, by a. fast underhand throw to Elberfeld, beat the runner to second. Hal had his back turned and didn't see whether anyone was covering the bag. He took a chance, but the "Tobasco Kid" was there to complete the play.
But the next day Chase put his great play, which we all regarded as wonderful, completely in the shade. Harry Davis, a good runner, was on first, when Danny Murphy bunted along the third base line. Chase, who started in as soon as Chesnro lifted his arm to pitch, was up to the plate as Murphy laid down the hall. Hal followed the hall along the third base line fully 20 feet, beat Conroy and Cheshro to it, and again, with his back turned, with a lightning underhand throw and without looking to see where he was throwing, shot the hall to second where Elberfeld was Johnny-on-the-spot. As Elberfeld received the ball in time to force Davis, and, by another remarkably fast throw, got the ball to Harry Niles, who had covered first, in time to double Murphy, you can form an idea of how wonderfully fast Chase's fielding was, in this the most remarkable play I think has ever been made. A remarkable feature of the play was, that in throwing apparently blindly, Chase shot the ball straight into Elberfeld's hands. I recall that, recovering from the surprise occasioned by the play, I declared some day Chase would be killed running up on the batter
But the next day Chase put his great play, which we all regarded as wonderful, completely in the shade. Harry Davis, a good runner, was on first, when Danny Murphy bunted along the third base line. Chase, who started in as soon as Chesnro lifted his arm to pitch, was up to the plate as Murphy laid down the hall. Hal followed the hall along the third base line fully 20 feet, beat Conroy and Cheshro to it, and again, with his back turned, with a lightning underhand throw and without looking to see where he was throwing, shot the hall to second where Elberfeld was Johnny-on-the-spot. As Elberfeld received the ball in time to force Davis, and, by another remarkably fast throw, got the ball to Harry Niles, who had covered first, in time to double Murphy, you can form an idea of how wonderfully fast Chase's fielding was, in this the most remarkable play I think has ever been made. A remarkable feature of the play was, that in throwing apparently blindly, Chase shot the ball straight into Elberfeld's hands. I recall that, recovering from the surprise occasioned by the play, I declared some day Chase would be killed running up on the batter
December 8, 1909 - The Ogdensburg Journal, NY - Stallings to get rid of Elberfeld
- December 14, 1909: Purchased by the Washington Senators from the New York Highlanders for $5,000.
December 15, 1909 - The Ogdensburg journal - No important trades between major league clubs have as yet been negotiated, but it seems to be assured that the New York Americans will get Catcher Criger from St. Louis and that Norman Elberfeld, the New York Americans' shortstop, will he sold to Washington... Manager Stallings is going to use Kid Elberfeld as a bait. If any deal is made Elberfeld is sure to figure in it. Stallings wants a pitcher and an infielder.
*December 15, 1909- Veteran shortstop Norman "Kid" Elberfeld (1903-1909), who helped make the Yankees a winner, is sold to the Senators for $5,000. He hit .306 for the 1906 Yankees.
*Dec 15, 1909 - Kid Elberfeld‚ who helped make the Highlanders a winner‚ is sold to Washington for $5‚000.
December 15, 1909 - The Ogdensburg journal - No important trades between major league clubs have as yet been negotiated, but it seems to be assured that the New York Americans will get Catcher Criger from St. Louis and that Norman Elberfeld, the New York Americans' shortstop, will he sold to Washington. --- Manager Stallings is going to use Kid Elberfeld as a bait. If any deal is made Elberfeld is sure to "figure in it. , Stallings wants a pitcher and an infielder.
December 16, 1909 - The Ogdensburg journal - Shortstop Norman Elberfeld of the New York Americans was sold today to the Washington club. The price was not made public.
December 16, 1909 - Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia Elberfeld to Washington- LONG story about Elberfeld and his home
December 23, 1909 - The New York Times - Elberfeld as a Senator - Washington Expects to Make Good Showing Next Year - The Elberfeld deal placed the Board of Directors of the Washington Ball Club in a happy frame of mind at its annual meeting on Monday. President Thomas Noyes, who was instrumental in bringing about the deal, was warmly congratulated by his colleagues, who believe that the addition of the hustling infielder will make the Nationals a team which will not be at the bottom of the championship ladder.
December 31, 1909 - The Ogdensburg journal, NY - Kid Elberfeld isn't shedding tears because he goes to Washington. "It is no novelty to me," he says, "to he with a team that finishes last. I am glad George Stallings sent me here. I consider Washington my borne. I don't want to be captain of the local team. My fighting spirit will be directed toward batting .333 and fielding .980." Elberfeld played under Stallings in three cities.
