MAWNIN'
Buss Walker
• Evans Remembers the 'Kid'
• Broke in Under Elberfeld
This Kid Elberfeld memorial fund can't seem to reach a stopping place. Back on the job after a couple of off days spent in the country we find the donations continue to come in by mail. They are appreciated and will be turned over to Dutch Hassid at the bank, to be added to the rest of the fund. The checks by mail are a little more trouble to refuse than the many offers both Dutch and this corner have had from friends downtown who were disappointed at not getting in under the wire. However, there was one who would not be refused, Austin White, in the naval office at Fort Oglethorpe. We had to take his dollar or bury him. First letter opened yesterday was from Billy Evans, president of the Southern Association, and here it is:
"Dear Buss:
"Have been out of the city much of late on league matters, which explains why you have not heard from me relative to the Elberfeld memorial. I think it is a grand idea, proving there is still sentiment in the game. The "Kid" was one of the most picturesque characters in all the history of the game and the memory of him should and must live on. I am inclosing my check for $10 to be added the total. "I shall always feel that Elberfeld did much in shaping my big league career. helping me on the way to whatever little success I achieved in an umpiring way.
"I made by big league debut as an umpire at the old Highlanders Park in New York. Boston was the opposing team. At that time Elberfeld was the 'Great Elberfeld,' the 'Tabasco Kid,' the guy who mangled the umpires. I wondered what he would look like, wondered more how he would behave.
First Protest
"He was the third man up in the first inning of the game, hitting in that position for New York. He grounded deep to shortstop and was out, so I thought, on a very close play. I so called the play. The next thing I knew Elberfeld vas stepping all over my shoes and apologizing at the same time for so doing. His protest was my first in the majors. " 'I have a notion to punch you right on the nose, you big bum,' was his greeting after I called him out.
" 'There is no one holding either hand, so start punching,' I answered. In those days umpiring was not as polite as now. The umpire had to protect himself in the clinches and I made up my mind that I would beat the Kid to the punch if he started one.
" `So you're challenging me,' he said shifting the trend of the conversation. I told him I merely intended to protect myself.
" 'How much do you weigh?' he asked. " `Just an even 185,' I replied, wondering what it was all about. " 'That's the way with you umpires,' said the Kid, 'you always want the edge.' " `Get down to 150 and I'll take you on,' he said with a smile and went on his way. That was Elberfeld's weight at the time.
"You can't imagine how good felt as I saw Elberfeld go back to his position. I had had my first protest and gotten away without trouble and with the 'Tabasco Kid' doing the protesting.
"Up to that time I was quite nervous, I must admit, but the run-in with Elberfeld settled everything and I was on the way to a big league career. "It may be interesting to know that was as serious an argument as I ever had with Elberfeld. He liked me and I certainly liked him. We hit it up well.
"Trust this will help your fund.
"Cordially,
"BILLY EVANS."
Buss Walker
• Evans Remembers the 'Kid'
• Broke in Under Elberfeld
This Kid Elberfeld memorial fund can't seem to reach a stopping place. Back on the job after a couple of off days spent in the country we find the donations continue to come in by mail. They are appreciated and will be turned over to Dutch Hassid at the bank, to be added to the rest of the fund. The checks by mail are a little more trouble to refuse than the many offers both Dutch and this corner have had from friends downtown who were disappointed at not getting in under the wire. However, there was one who would not be refused, Austin White, in the naval office at Fort Oglethorpe. We had to take his dollar or bury him. First letter opened yesterday was from Billy Evans, president of the Southern Association, and here it is:
"Dear Buss:
"Have been out of the city much of late on league matters, which explains why you have not heard from me relative to the Elberfeld memorial. I think it is a grand idea, proving there is still sentiment in the game. The "Kid" was one of the most picturesque characters in all the history of the game and the memory of him should and must live on. I am inclosing my check for $10 to be added the total. "I shall always feel that Elberfeld did much in shaping my big league career. helping me on the way to whatever little success I achieved in an umpiring way.
"I made by big league debut as an umpire at the old Highlanders Park in New York. Boston was the opposing team. At that time Elberfeld was the 'Great Elberfeld,' the 'Tabasco Kid,' the guy who mangled the umpires. I wondered what he would look like, wondered more how he would behave.
First Protest
"He was the third man up in the first inning of the game, hitting in that position for New York. He grounded deep to shortstop and was out, so I thought, on a very close play. I so called the play. The next thing I knew Elberfeld vas stepping all over my shoes and apologizing at the same time for so doing. His protest was my first in the majors. " 'I have a notion to punch you right on the nose, you big bum,' was his greeting after I called him out.
" 'There is no one holding either hand, so start punching,' I answered. In those days umpiring was not as polite as now. The umpire had to protect himself in the clinches and I made up my mind that I would beat the Kid to the punch if he started one.
" `So you're challenging me,' he said shifting the trend of the conversation. I told him I merely intended to protect myself.
" 'How much do you weigh?' he asked. " `Just an even 185,' I replied, wondering what it was all about. " 'That's the way with you umpires,' said the Kid, 'you always want the edge.' " `Get down to 150 and I'll take you on,' he said with a smile and went on his way. That was Elberfeld's weight at the time.
"You can't imagine how good felt as I saw Elberfeld go back to his position. I had had my first protest and gotten away without trouble and with the 'Tabasco Kid' doing the protesting.
"Up to that time I was quite nervous, I must admit, but the run-in with Elberfeld settled everything and I was on the way to a big league career. "It may be interesting to know that was as serious an argument as I ever had with Elberfeld. He liked me and I certainly liked him. We hit it up well.
"Trust this will help your fund.
"Cordially,
"BILLY EVANS."
