January 29, 1944 - The El Paso Herald Post, TX - Story about Elberfeld as Minor League Manager
Herald-Post Sports
Saturday, Jan. 29, 1944 Page 5
ElberfeId Defied League Head by Signing Seaton
TOM SEATON, El Paso pitcher who died some years ago. played a short but dramatic part in the stormy career of Kid Elberfeld.
Elberfeld, known as the Tobasco Kid because of his biting tongue and pugnacious nature was a famous New York- American League short stop back near the turn of the century, and for many years afterward managed clubs in the Southern Association. He died this month in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Seaton entered Elberfeld's life when Tom and Casey Smith. another pitcher, were fired by San Francisco reportedly because of association with gamblers. Seaton and Smith were immediately signed by Little Rock. managed by Elberfeld.
John D. Martin, league president, ordered Little Rock not to use the two pitchers. Elberfeld defied the prexy's orders.
"Nothing, has been proved against them, so we are going to use them," he said.
The Travelers were idle for several days because clubs refused to play them as long as Seaton and Smith were on the team.
Gates Locked on Them
'THE LITTLE ROCK Club made a trip to Atlanta, whose team was managed by Charley Frank. Elberfeld and Frank were the two leading feudists in the Southern League then and in future years.
When the Travelers got to the Atlanta park they found the gates locked. So Elberfeld and his players climbed the fence, gathered around home plate at game time and claimed a forfeit, because the Crackers did not appear.
Of course, the forfeit claim of the Travelers was not upheld, and they were soon forced to yield to the boycott. and reluctantly release Seaton arid Smith.
Saturday, Jan. 29, 1944 Page 5
ElberfeId Defied League Head by Signing Seaton
TOM SEATON, El Paso pitcher who died some years ago. played a short but dramatic part in the stormy career of Kid Elberfeld.
Elberfeld, known as the Tobasco Kid because of his biting tongue and pugnacious nature was a famous New York- American League short stop back near the turn of the century, and for many years afterward managed clubs in the Southern Association. He died this month in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Seaton entered Elberfeld's life when Tom and Casey Smith. another pitcher, were fired by San Francisco reportedly because of association with gamblers. Seaton and Smith were immediately signed by Little Rock. managed by Elberfeld.
John D. Martin, league president, ordered Little Rock not to use the two pitchers. Elberfeld defied the prexy's orders.
"Nothing, has been proved against them, so we are going to use them," he said.
The Travelers were idle for several days because clubs refused to play them as long as Seaton and Smith were on the team.
Gates Locked on Them
'THE LITTLE ROCK Club made a trip to Atlanta, whose team was managed by Charley Frank. Elberfeld and Frank were the two leading feudists in the Southern League then and in future years.
When the Travelers got to the Atlanta park they found the gates locked. So Elberfeld and his players climbed the fence, gathered around home plate at game time and claimed a forfeit, because the Crackers did not appear.
Of course, the forfeit claim of the Travelers was not upheld, and they were soon forced to yield to the boycott. and reluctantly release Seaton arid Smith.
