July 14, 1905 - Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan) - Elberfeld Fight - fanciful description
FRIDAY. JULY 14, 1905 - THE DETROIT FREE PRESS
ONE LONG WRANGLE WAS THIS GAME
Detroit Sent Chesbro to Woods in Contest Replete With Personal Encounters, Following Some
Rough Work by Elberfeld
Mr. N. Elberfeld, one time of our baseball family but no longer beloved of the bleacherites, in a moment of pique yesterday inaugurated a period of pugnacity that brought the contest to a point where it was but a step over the border into rowdy-dow. Something like 80 degress in the stand, the atmosphere on the playing field itself was so scorching that the grass was burned brown by the heated colloquies in which diverse players and officials spent the better than two hours of time which was consumed partially in playing the game, but more in fighting about what had happened and what was going to come off later. Since summer shut in on us there have been some warm time; never anything as torrid as this.
By actual count, forty arguments were indulged in. of which Umpire Connolly won the greater number, including three benchings; Manager Armour won the most lengthy, a joint debate on the question of "doctoring" balls for Mr. Chesbro; and the Tigers the most important, the game itself, Mr. G. Mullin coming out triumphant 6 to 3, over Mr. J.
Chesbro, who was driven from the slab by a concerted effort in Round 6, before the close of which the New
York star ran up the distress signal and gladly hailed reinforcements that were sent out.
Where Elberfeld Got ln.
Through the first two innings, at the end of which the score was 2 to 1 New York--all three runs being foolish ones—it was just an ordinary ball game. The fans began to sit up and take notice in the third, however, when Mullin walked and Cooley bunted to Chesbro. This was the first play to bring Elberfeld into the limelight. and in forcing Mullin he occupied the entire bag, so that the runner, to touch the sack, was forced to step on the shortstop's foot. Result. Elherfeld was spiked. The game was stopped for five minutes while Mr. Elberfeld expressed his intention to "get" Mr. Mullin, and the latter pleaded with Mr. E. to begin bother at once. Nothing doing. On the very next play Elberfeld was in again. McIntyre hit to Chesbro, who threw to center field in an effort to force Cooley at second. Dick was due to make third on the play, but Elberfeld tripped him as he rounded the bag. Mr. Cooley wasted no time in argument, but stooped over and got Mr. Elberfeld's left. leg, dragging him around on his stomach until the return of the ball forced the Thespian to camp on the bag. This time the argument was less lengthy, as Mr. Cooley gave evidences of being about to start some-
thing on the field if tempted.
From this time on it was one lone session of sweet bells out of tune. Grif and Elberfeld were both chased off the lines for offensive personal coaching in the fifth. and Cooley was removed from the game for kicking on a called third strike. Again, the game was held up for ten minutes to discuss "doctored" hills. Mr. Armour. for Mr. Chesbro's confusion, sat on one bench treating the balls with a concoction of licorice. Mr. Griffith. on the other bench, impounded the ball as often as possible and ripped the cover with a knife blade, to force in a new ball. Grit wanted the treated halls thrown out. but Mr. Armour, to whom no punishment could be meted. refused to cut out the baths.
ONE LONG WRANGLE WAS THIS GAME
Detroit Sent Chesbro to Woods in Contest Replete With Personal Encounters, Following Some
Rough Work by Elberfeld
Mr. N. Elberfeld, one time of our baseball family but no longer beloved of the bleacherites, in a moment of pique yesterday inaugurated a period of pugnacity that brought the contest to a point where it was but a step over the border into rowdy-dow. Something like 80 degress in the stand, the atmosphere on the playing field itself was so scorching that the grass was burned brown by the heated colloquies in which diverse players and officials spent the better than two hours of time which was consumed partially in playing the game, but more in fighting about what had happened and what was going to come off later. Since summer shut in on us there have been some warm time; never anything as torrid as this.
By actual count, forty arguments were indulged in. of which Umpire Connolly won the greater number, including three benchings; Manager Armour won the most lengthy, a joint debate on the question of "doctoring" balls for Mr. Chesbro; and the Tigers the most important, the game itself, Mr. G. Mullin coming out triumphant 6 to 3, over Mr. J.
Chesbro, who was driven from the slab by a concerted effort in Round 6, before the close of which the New
York star ran up the distress signal and gladly hailed reinforcements that were sent out.
Where Elberfeld Got ln.
Through the first two innings, at the end of which the score was 2 to 1 New York--all three runs being foolish ones—it was just an ordinary ball game. The fans began to sit up and take notice in the third, however, when Mullin walked and Cooley bunted to Chesbro. This was the first play to bring Elberfeld into the limelight. and in forcing Mullin he occupied the entire bag, so that the runner, to touch the sack, was forced to step on the shortstop's foot. Result. Elherfeld was spiked. The game was stopped for five minutes while Mr. Elberfeld expressed his intention to "get" Mr. Mullin, and the latter pleaded with Mr. E. to begin bother at once. Nothing doing. On the very next play Elberfeld was in again. McIntyre hit to Chesbro, who threw to center field in an effort to force Cooley at second. Dick was due to make third on the play, but Elberfeld tripped him as he rounded the bag. Mr. Cooley wasted no time in argument, but stooped over and got Mr. Elberfeld's left. leg, dragging him around on his stomach until the return of the ball forced the Thespian to camp on the bag. This time the argument was less lengthy, as Mr. Cooley gave evidences of being about to start some-
thing on the field if tempted.
From this time on it was one lone session of sweet bells out of tune. Grif and Elberfeld were both chased off the lines for offensive personal coaching in the fifth. and Cooley was removed from the game for kicking on a called third strike. Again, the game was held up for ten minutes to discuss "doctored" hills. Mr. Armour. for Mr. Chesbro's confusion, sat on one bench treating the balls with a concoction of licorice. Mr. Griffith. on the other bench, impounded the ball as often as possible and ripped the cover with a knife blade, to force in a new ball. Grit wanted the treated halls thrown out. but Mr. Armour, to whom no punishment could be meted. refused to cut out the baths.
