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Show HOGAN SAVED $2 AT EXPENSE OF UMPIRE "ormer Pacific Coast Player Tells Amusing Story. Arbiter With Only Three Fingers or Hand Couldn't Make- $5 Fine Stand President of League Overrules His Umps. George Hlldebrand, the American league umpire, U sponsor for the fot lowing Btory : Before coming to the American league Hlldebrand played, then umpired um-pired In the Pacific Coast league. In that league was the late Hap Hogan, who, In hie day, was td th coast league fans what Nick Altrock ll to the big league circuit. Hogan was nothing, If not original - '.(' " VV , Ml . .. Umpire George Hildebrand. Oh the coast they still talk of som of the stunts that he pulled at the ex. pense of players, fans and umpires Hildebrand's story deals with an umpire. um-pire. In those days It was customary foi the umpires to fine the players foi various offenses. Often in assessing the fine it was a habit with most umpires, if the fine was $5, to raise his hand and say, "It will just cost you that much." Working with Hildebrand in a certain game was an umpire who had only three fingers on his right hand. Hogan got into an argument with this umpire. The umpire finally decided he wanted to fine Hogan $5, but he merely raised the hand containing the three fingers and said, "It will cost you that much." Hogan neglected to pay the fine, hoping the umpire would forget it The "urap" didn't, and the presidenl advised Hogan he should pay It immediately im-mediately If he desired to continue playing. , Hogan Immediately sent a check foi $3. On Its receipt the president suspended sus-pended him. Hogan refused to pay th other $2. As manager of the club h refused to put his team on the field The president of the league was gotten on the telephone, the conditions of the fine explained, and the president presi-dent ruled in favor of Hogan. |