At times, it feels like the umpires go out of their way to put themselves into the spotlight during MLB games. On this day in 1948, Hall of Fame umpire Bill McGowan did just that in the game between the Washington Senators and the Cleveland Indians.
One of the last things that an umpire wants to do, in at any level, is to effect the outcome of a game. Sometimes, that can be easier said than done, especially when one team is getting on the umpire’s nerves. Well, on this day in 1948, MLB umpire, and future Hall of Famer, Bill McGowan was unable to keep his anger at the Washington Senators under control.
The game long eruption began with McGowan getting tired of Senators starter Ray Scarborough complaining about the strike zone. McGowan had been in the American League for 23 years at that time, and was one of the umpires selected to work in the first ever All Star Game. Needless to say, he did not feel as though he needed Scarborough’s criticism, and showed his displeasure by firing the ball and strike counter at him.
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This set off Senators manager Joe Kuhel and the coaching staff. Well, McGowan wasn’t going to here it from them either, rapidly ejecting Kuhel and several coaches, making sure that he would not need to deal with them any longer. This continued his feud with Kuhel and the Senators that began the day before, as he fired a ball at Bud Stewart while he was arguing being called out at home in the tenth inning. Kuhel would file a protest of the game afterwards.
In what was an unprecedented move, American League President Will Harridge suspended McGowan for ten games and fined him $500 for his actions. Considering that McGowan once, when asked what advice he would give to aspiring umpires, said “Make the players and managers respect by your hustle. Keep on top of plays. Always try to give a manager or player a civil answer. Then walk away, tough.” this incident was entirely out of character.
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Bill McGowan was respected enough by his peers to be elected into the MLB Hall of Fame. Yet, during a two game span, McGowan looked more like one of the worst choices to umpire a game, regardless of level.