September 4, 1906 - The New York Times - AMERICANS IN THE LEAD AFTER STORMY SERIES
AMERICANS IN THE LEAD AFTER STORMY SERIES
Athletics Object to Decision, Forfeit Second Game.
MORE TROUBLE BY ELBERFELD
Giants, Brooklyn, Chicago, and Pittsburg Each Win Twice�Cleveland Close to Champions.
The New York Americans yesterday, by defeating the champion Athletics of Philadelphia twice, assumed the lead in the American League championship race. Chicago sustaining a double defeat at Cleveland and dropping back into second place. The two games on the local grounds furnished one of the most disgraceful exhibitions of rowdyism ever witnessed on a baseball field. Elberfeld, the shortstop of the Greater New York Club, was responsible for the first scene, and repeated one of the many ruffianly displays that he has been guilty of during the past two seasons. The trouble arose in the ninth inning of the first game. The argument started when Murphy of the Philadelphia team stole third base, with one man out. The decision was a close one, but the runner appeared to be safe. The New York players crowded around Umpire O'Loughlin and protested against the decision. Moriarty, who was covering third base, - began the argument with the umpire, but was quickly silenced.
Elberfeld approached the umpire in a threatening manner, but O'Loughlin waved him aside. This action seemed to infuriate Elberfeld, who rushed at the umpire and attempted to kick him. O'Loughlin backed away to avoid further trouble and ordered Elberfeld out of the game. The latter again rushed at the umpire, and made six deliberate attempts to spike him. He waved his hands threateningly in the face of O'Loughlin and made repeated efforts to step on the umpire's feet with his spiked shoes. He then jerked savagely at O'Loughlin's arm and endeavored to push him back.
The umpire showed admirable control of his temper, while the 20,000 spectators hissed and jeered the actions of the offending ball player. The umpire was compelled to appeal for police protection, and Capt. Cottrell and two policemen hurried to the home plate. One of the policemen took hold of Elberfeld's arm and led him to the New York players' bench. Umpire O'Loughlin refused to allow the game to continue until Elberfeld had left the grounds. The latter again jumped from his seat and started in the direction of the' umpire. Pitcher Orth took hold of Elberfeld and attempted to remonstrate with him, but the angered short stop in his fury tried to hit Orth, and, breaking away, made another rush at O'Loughlin. The police again came to the umpire's rescue and led Elberfeld off the playing field a second time, the spectators showing their disapprobation by continual hissing.
When Elberfeld reached the gate at the end of the field he turned around, and, leaning against the fence, refused to budge further. Meanwhile the play had been stopped, and Manager Clark Griffith. fearing that the game would be forfeited, went after Elberfeld. and finally induced him to retire to the clubhouse. The umpire's forbearance was loudly applauded by the spectators.
Elberfeld was permitted to take part in the second game, but each time he came to the bat he was hissed. Umpire O'Loughlin will report the affair to President Ban Johnson of the American League, who will take action.
This scene was followed by a second one, in which the Philadelphia players participated. While it did not savor of the disgraceful exhibition made by Elberfeld, it was almost as reprehensible. In the second game. with the score 3 to 1 in favor of the Philadelphians in the second half of the ninth inning. Williams hit a. ball to Cross at short stop. Conroy and Keeler were on second and third bases respectively. Cross raced after the ball as Keeler ran toward third base. The men collided, and the ball rolled toward Kartsel, in the left field. Conroy and Keeler came home, and tied the score. The Quakers were loud in their protest against the decision of Umpire O'Loughlin, who ruled that the mix-up was not the fault of Keeler, and allowed the two runs. Capt. Davis and the Philadelphia players crowded around the umpire and assumed threatening attitudes. The umpire argued with the players for some time, and finally taking out his watch ordered the Philadelphia players back on the field. They refused to obey the order, and, with his patience finally exhausted, he forfeited the game to New York by the score of 9 to 0. The two rowdy actions created a very unfavorable impression with the spectators and marred what otherwise would have been two of the most Interesting games of the American League championship season.
All the clubs in both leagues played two games yesterday. The New York champions won two games from Boston on the Polo Grounds. but a double victory by Pittsburg enabled the latter to retain second place over New York by a close margin. Chicago captured two games from Cincinnati. and Brooklyn shut out Philadelphia twice.
Athletics Object to Decision, Forfeit Second Game.
MORE TROUBLE BY ELBERFELD
Giants, Brooklyn, Chicago, and Pittsburg Each Win Twice�Cleveland Close to Champions.
The New York Americans yesterday, by defeating the champion Athletics of Philadelphia twice, assumed the lead in the American League championship race. Chicago sustaining a double defeat at Cleveland and dropping back into second place. The two games on the local grounds furnished one of the most disgraceful exhibitions of rowdyism ever witnessed on a baseball field. Elberfeld, the shortstop of the Greater New York Club, was responsible for the first scene, and repeated one of the many ruffianly displays that he has been guilty of during the past two seasons. The trouble arose in the ninth inning of the first game. The argument started when Murphy of the Philadelphia team stole third base, with one man out. The decision was a close one, but the runner appeared to be safe. The New York players crowded around Umpire O'Loughlin and protested against the decision. Moriarty, who was covering third base, - began the argument with the umpire, but was quickly silenced.
Elberfeld approached the umpire in a threatening manner, but O'Loughlin waved him aside. This action seemed to infuriate Elberfeld, who rushed at the umpire and attempted to kick him. O'Loughlin backed away to avoid further trouble and ordered Elberfeld out of the game. The latter again rushed at the umpire, and made six deliberate attempts to spike him. He waved his hands threateningly in the face of O'Loughlin and made repeated efforts to step on the umpire's feet with his spiked shoes. He then jerked savagely at O'Loughlin's arm and endeavored to push him back.
The umpire showed admirable control of his temper, while the 20,000 spectators hissed and jeered the actions of the offending ball player. The umpire was compelled to appeal for police protection, and Capt. Cottrell and two policemen hurried to the home plate. One of the policemen took hold of Elberfeld's arm and led him to the New York players' bench. Umpire O'Loughlin refused to allow the game to continue until Elberfeld had left the grounds. The latter again jumped from his seat and started in the direction of the' umpire. Pitcher Orth took hold of Elberfeld and attempted to remonstrate with him, but the angered short stop in his fury tried to hit Orth, and, breaking away, made another rush at O'Loughlin. The police again came to the umpire's rescue and led Elberfeld off the playing field a second time, the spectators showing their disapprobation by continual hissing.
When Elberfeld reached the gate at the end of the field he turned around, and, leaning against the fence, refused to budge further. Meanwhile the play had been stopped, and Manager Clark Griffith. fearing that the game would be forfeited, went after Elberfeld. and finally induced him to retire to the clubhouse. The umpire's forbearance was loudly applauded by the spectators.
Elberfeld was permitted to take part in the second game, but each time he came to the bat he was hissed. Umpire O'Loughlin will report the affair to President Ban Johnson of the American League, who will take action.
This scene was followed by a second one, in which the Philadelphia players participated. While it did not savor of the disgraceful exhibition made by Elberfeld, it was almost as reprehensible. In the second game. with the score 3 to 1 in favor of the Philadelphians in the second half of the ninth inning. Williams hit a. ball to Cross at short stop. Conroy and Keeler were on second and third bases respectively. Cross raced after the ball as Keeler ran toward third base. The men collided, and the ball rolled toward Kartsel, in the left field. Conroy and Keeler came home, and tied the score. The Quakers were loud in their protest against the decision of Umpire O'Loughlin, who ruled that the mix-up was not the fault of Keeler, and allowed the two runs. Capt. Davis and the Philadelphia players crowded around the umpire and assumed threatening attitudes. The umpire argued with the players for some time, and finally taking out his watch ordered the Philadelphia players back on the field. They refused to obey the order, and, with his patience finally exhausted, he forfeited the game to New York by the score of 9 to 0. The two rowdy actions created a very unfavorable impression with the spectators and marred what otherwise would have been two of the most Interesting games of the American League championship season.
All the clubs in both leagues played two games yesterday. The New York champions won two games from Boston on the Polo Grounds. but a double victory by Pittsburg enabled the latter to retain second place over New York by a close margin. Chicago captured two games from Cincinnati. and Brooklyn shut out Philadelphia twice.
