Tim Hurst from the Chronology

Jun 4, 1915 - Tim Hurst‚ colorful umpire who was often in the center of controversy‚ dies at 49.

Aug 12, 1909 - Umpire Tim Hurst is dropped by the American League following an investigation into the spitting incident in the August 3 game between the Athletics and White Sox. His replacement is Mike Thompson, a former Georgetown University football player who has been a well-known football ref. Thompson tried to join the NL umping staff last year but the roster was filled.

Aug 3, 1909 - The Athletics sweep a pair from the visiting White Sox, winning 2-1 and 10-4, though the scores take a backseat to an incident between umpire Tim Hurst and A’s 2B Eddie Collins. Doc White and the Sox take a 4-1 lead into the 7th, but the A’s score 6 runs for the lead. White is removed for Louis Fiene and the A’s continue to score in the 8th. With runners on, Collins singles and goes to second where he appears to be safe when the throw is dropped. When Hurst calls him out, Collins is furious and follows the ump around the infield using words like “yellow”, “crook” and “blind bat.” Hurst then turns and spits in the face of Collins before teammates pull the two apart. After the game, police battle with fans for 20 minutes as Hurst is hit by cushions and bottles. Hurst will be suspended by Ban Johnson tomorrow.

Jun 8, 1907 - The National Police Gazette lists "Honest John" Kelly and Tim Hurst among its great boxing referees. Both are former ML umpires‚ with Kelly also playing and managing.

May 7, 1906 - During the New York Americans 7-2 win over visiting Washington‚ umpire Tim Hurst strikes New York manager Clark Grif?th in the mouth after Griffith accidently steps on his shoe during a 10-minute argument following a close play in the 5th inning. Griffith is tossed today but Hurst will be suspended for 5 days.

Sep 8, 1903 - New York's Christy Mathewson and Brooklyn's Bill Reidy hook up for the 3rd time in a week‚ and the rubber game ends in a tie‚ 4-4. The match is called by ump Tim Hurst after 8 innings because of darkness.

Sep 7, 1903 - The Giants and Superbas split an odd A.M. - P.M. doubleheader‚ with Brooklyn losing the first game at home‚ 6-4‚ then dropping the afternoon game at the Polo Grounds‚ 3-0. The morning contest almost degenerates into a brawl when batter Jimmy Sheckard interferes with a throw to 2B by Giants catcher Frank Bowerman by sticking his bat in front of it. The ball deflects off the bat but umpire Tim Hurst refuses to call interference. While the runner circles the bases‚ the Giants ignore the ball and heatedly berate the ump's call. While no interference is called‚ Sheckard is tossed out of the game.

Apr 13, 1900 - At the request of club owners in Cincinnati and New York‚ the NL bans umpire Tim Hurst‚ considered the most colorful‚ cantankerous ump‚ from working in cities whose club owners "object to having a man of that type associated with their grounds‚ where ladies and gentlemen watch the games."

Jan 10, 1899 - Tim Hurst‚ former NL umpire and St. Louis manager‚ referees the Tom Sharkey knockout of Kid McCoy in 10 rounds at the Lenox Athletic Club in New York.

Nov 22, 1898 - Former umpire "Honest John" Kelly is the referee at the Jim Corbett-Tom Sharkey fight in New York. Sharkey is the winner. Many baseball people attend‚ including John McGraw and Tim Hurst.

Aug 28, 1898 - Umpire Bob Emslie is too ill to continue after the first game between Baltimore and St. Louis. Orioles Manager Ned Hanlon recommends that Browns' manager Tim Hurst‚ a former NL umpire‚ officiate in the 2nd game. The Orioles win 6-2‚ but "Tiny Tim" is cheered by the crowd.

Apr 16, 1898 - The Sportsman's Park grandstand is destroyed by fire in the 2nd inning with the Browns at bat against Chicago. Forty persons are injured as a crowd of 6‚000 stampedes to escape. The Browns new manager Tim Hurst and players help workmen remove debris so that the April 17th day game can be played.

Apr 15, 1898 - The Chicagoes‚ with Clark Griffith pitching and captain Bill Dahlen hitting a 2B and 3B‚ spoil Tim Hurst's managerial debut by beating St. Louis‚ 2-1.

Mar 12, 1898 - Former umpire Tim Hurst arrives in St. Louis to take over management of the Browns. The team will have spring practice at West Baden Springs‚ IN.

Aug 4, 1897 - At Cincinnati‚ umpire Tim Hurst makes a decision against the home team in the 2nd inning of game 2 and a fan rolls an empty beer glass onto the field Hurst promptly picks it up and hurls it back into the stands and an unfortunate fan is hit and cut seriously. A patty wagon arrives and Hurst is arrested for assault and battery and will receive a suspension for the incident. Red Bittman takes his place behind the plate and the game is called at the end of 6 with the score tied at 4 apiece. In game 1‚ Tommy Corcoran scores 5 runs as the Reds roll over Pittsburgh‚ 14-3.

May 16, 1897 - Fans assemble for Cleveland's first Sunday baseball game only to have the police arrest the players after the first inning. Players and umpire Tim Hurst are released on bail provided by Cleveland club owner Frank DeHaas Robison. A test case is made of rookie hurler John Powell. On June 10th he will be found guilty of playing ball on Sunday and fined $5.

Sep 15, 1896 - After umpire Tim Hurst becomes ill in the 3rd inning of the Brooklyn-Washington game‚ "local man" John Heydler replaces him. Heydler soon joins the NL on a permanent basis and rises quickly in the hierarchy. In 1918 he is elected president of the NL.

Jul 13, 1896 - Cleveland falls to 3rd place (behind Cincinnati and Baltimore) after its 5-2 loss to New York. Spider manager Patsy Tebeau‚ after being suspended by NL president Nick Young for past transgressions‚ plays anyway after obtaining restraining orders on umpire Tim Hurst‚ New York manager Arthur Irwin‚ and Giant captain William "Kid" Gleason.

Jul 6, 1896 - After the Pittsburgh-Washington contest‚ a 6-2 Washington win‚ umpire Tim Hurst hits Pirate players Jake Stenzel and Emerson "Pink" Hawley in the jaw in response to repeated verbal attacks by the players during the game. According the New York Clipper "neither player resented the attack."

Sep 14, 1895 - In the 8th inning of the Baltimore-Brooklyn game a foul tip shatters the mask of umpire Tim Hurst‚ driving a wire into his forehead which strikes an artery. Amazingly‚ Hurst remains in the game despite the blood. Baltimore wins‚ 14-5. as Willie Keeler scores 5 runs for the second time in a month.