July 24, 1873 - Ferguson vs. Hicks

July 24, 1873, Umpire Bob Ferguson breaks Mutuals catcher Nat Hicks' left arm after a Lord Baltimores game in New York. -- The Lord Baltimores were leading the Mutuals heading into the late innings. Veteran player and umpire Bob Ferguson had received continuous verbal abuse throughout the game from Mutuals' catcher Nat Hicks. New York came back to score three runs in the bottom of the 9th for the close victory, but the argument between Hicks and Ferguson escalated after the game and ended with Ferguson hitting Hicks with a baseball bat, breaking his left arm in two places. The crowd went berserk and Ferguson needed a police escort to exit the field safely amidst a shower of boo’s and trash. Hicks refused to press formal charges and would be out two months waiting for the injury to heal.
Diorama by Ken Mars

LORD BALTIMORE'S NINE

LORD BALTIMORE'S NINE

by Clinton S. Birch (1874)

We are a jovial base-ball club; our hearts are light and free, And though we meet with some defeats, oft gain the victory!

Give us fair play and win or lose we’ll never make a muss, But be content to act like men; yes that’s the style for us!

           Chorus                                                                          

Down at the Newington Park, on the baseball grounds,

When in earnest contest our gallant nine are found,

Struggling with their rivals for victory and renown,

Down at the Newington Park, on the baseball ground!

Of all the manly games in vogue, enumerate them all.

There’s none you’ll find that can compare with that known as base-ball!

‘Tis jolly fun when on the run or when with eagle eye.

You catch your adversaries’ ball and take it on the fly!

We make no boasts but stand resolved to win ourselves a name, And we will do the best we can to merit all we claim!

We’re not afraid of rival clubs; we’ll meet them anywhere, And when they choose to play us here we’ll act upon the square!

Recorded for the first time ever by Ken Mars