Books and articles about George Magerkurth

In Magerkurth's first game in the Polo Grounds in 1929, he ejected Giants' manager John McGraw. The warning flags were out for what was to come as the 6'3" 225-lb "Mage" circled NL parks with his short fuse. He would go into orbit when called his hated nickname "Meathead." His encounters with Leo Durocher and the Dodgers are legendary. Magerkurth was a hated man among Dodger fans during the 1940s. In a Dodger victory parade after they won the 1941 pennant, a coffin labled "Magerkurth" was carried down Fulton Street. A couple of years later, an irate Dodger fan leaped from the Ebbets Field stands, tackled Magerkurth at home plate, and began punching him on the ground.

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On July 15, 1939, the Reds' Harry Craft homered into the upper deck in left field at the Polo Grounds. The Giants screamed that the ball was foul and an argument developed. Magerkurth was at first base and had nothing to do with the call, but somehow he and New York shortstop Billy Jurges ended up in a fistfight. NL President Ford Frick fined each $250 and suspended them for ten days. The fiasco led to the installation of nets running the length of both Polo Grounds foul poles to determine fair and foul balls; today all ball parks are so equipped. (RTM)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » September 9, 1923: In an IL game, the Syracuse Stars are leading 3–2 in the 7th and final inning when ump George Magerkurth calls a Baltimore runner safe, giving the Orioles a last chance at bat. Stars manager Frank Shaughnessy protests and the fans agree with him by pouring out onto the field, and the ump awards the forfeit win to the O's. » November 28, 1928: The National League buys George Magerkurth from the PCL for $2,000. This is the highest price paid for a new ump. » July 15, 1939: A disputed call on a fly ball down the LF foul line at the Polo Grounds touches off a melee in which the Giants Billy Jurges and umpire George Magerkurth spit at each other. Both will be fined $150 and suspended for 10 days. NL President Ford Frick announces that 2-foot screens are to be installed inside all foul poles to prevent future arguments. The Al eventually also adopts the rule. The Giants lose 8-4 to the Reds and will add another eight in a row to take them out of contention. » September 16, 1940: A rhubarb at Ebbets Field results in a suspension and fine for Leo Durocher for "inciting a riot." Perhaps better known from the game is the photo showing an obese Brooklyn fan astride George Magerkurth, pummeling the veteran umpire. » April 27, 1945: The Giants Bill Voiselle, first citizen of Ninety Six, NC, shuts out the Dodgers, 5–0. Backing him are Mel Ott and Steve Filipowitz, who belt homers in the 6th inning. Filipowitz's drive, which apparently hits the low screen in front of the LF boxes, is first ruled a double by ump George Magerkurth. Home plate ump Bill Stewart overrules him, calling it a homer.