Books and articles about Tim Hurst

RELATED LINKS Photos » Photo: The Boston Dugout, 1904 from The American League

Pugnacious Tim Hurst had a reputation for settling arguments over disputed calls by striking arguing players on their heads with his mask or his fists. In 1897 an irate fan tossed a beer stein at Hurst. The umpire threw it back, hit the wrong fan, and was fined $100 and dismissed by the NL. Hired to manage the Cardinals, he took them to a last-place finish while reputedly leading the league in umpire-baiting. After another stormy five years as a NL ump, Hurst joined the AL. In one'w(((game, after an argument with New York manager Clark Griffith, he followed Griffith to the dugout and knocked him cold. On August 4, 1909, he spit in the eye of Athletics second baseman Eddie Collins, ending an argument and igniting a riot. Hurst was fired by the AL, after which he became a boxing referee. (RTM)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » 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. » March 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. » January 10, 1899: Tim Hurst, former National League umpire and St. Louis manager, referees the Tom Sharkey knockout of Kid McCoy in 10 rounds at the Lenox Athletic Club in New York. » April 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." » September 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 eight innings because of darkness. » May 7, 1906: Umpire Tim Hurst strikes New York Highlander manager Clark Griffith in the mouth. Hurst is suspended for five days. » June 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. » August 4, 1909: Umpire Tim Hurst instigates a riot by spitting in the face of Athletics 2B Eddie Collins, who had questioned a call. Under police guard, Hurst is ushered off the field. This incident eventually leads to Hurst's banishment from baseball two weeks later. » June 4, 1915: Tim Hurst, colorful umpire who was often in the center of controversy, dies at 49.