What Ever Happened to Civility?

On this day in 1904, there was a warrant issued for the arrest of the New York Giants. It seems that during an exhibition game in Mobile, Alabama, John McGraw got a little tired of the ump’s calls, and led his team in an assault on the poor fool. The Giants beat the umpire unconscious before fleeing the scene. I mentioned this was an exhibition game, didn’t I?

This kind of thing must have been pretty commonplace in those days, as Patsy Tebeau could tell you. And umpires these days have the gall to complain when someone spits in their face.

Does anyone remember that 1999 umpire strike? Who do these guys think they are with their unions and their calls for fair treatment? Those umpires would have been eaten alive 100 years ago. In today’s game, bumping an umpire is an automatic ejection and a probable suspension. Well I say, if baseball players are going to be forced to carry lethal weapons to the plate, they should at least be allowed to use them when a call doesn’t go their way. This era of sensitivity among umpires has got to go. I mean, the Giants were able to get out of Alabama and avoid their arrest, so their brutal assault was worth it, right?

So, in the spirit of all this, I make my movie pick of the day: Kill the Umpire, a 1950 romp starring William Bendix. After all, we ain’t got no use for the umpire unless he calls ’em our way.

On a more serious umpire related note, Eddie Montague, a 34 year veteran, has retired. This season won’t be the same without him.