Fans got to see that headline on 24 October 1934. What follows is one of the more infamous events in baseball history. Old Nats fans will recognize George Susce.
Paul and Daffy Dean with a local “pickup” outfit were in Pittsburgh to take on the Pittsburgh Crawfords. The Crawford’s were fortified by players from several other clubs in the league.
“In the last of the fifth, with the Dean team leading, 3 to 1, Vic Harris, centerfielder for the Negro nine was safe on a bunt and went to second when catcher George Susce’s throw was wide to first. Dizzy raced in from center field, where he retired after pitching two innings, pointing out to Umpire James Ahearn that Harris didn’t touch first base. The umpire called the runner out. Harris walked straight in from second, picked up a mask and is alleged to have cracked Ahearn on the head. That started the “firing” with the men on both teams “mixing it” and the spectators vaulting into the par to join in the rumpus. A squad of bluecoats charged onto the field and restored order.”
Another paper adds, “Fans, most of them Negroes, booed wildly. Someone hit Ahearn on the head with a catcher’s mask. Players swung fists. Some gripped bats menacingly and fans jumped over the railing onto the field.
The game wound up the post-World Series barnstorming tour of the brother’s “Me and Paul.” They explained they are tired of “fiddling” around the country playing night games and taking chances. Dizzy said, “We’re gonna make ourselves scarce.” Paul took occasion to spike reports that his pitching arm is in bad shape. “Nothing to it, “said Paul. “I did get a few pains from pitching night baseball, but listen. I know that out living depends on out arms and neither of us is going to take any long chances.”
Vic Harris was later convicted of assault and battery charges in Criminal Court in Pittsburgh on 1 November 1935. He had been accused of jerking the mask from Umpire James Ahearn, and using it as a weapon to strike the umpire. Visiting judge William T Darr paroled Harris for six months and ordered him to pay the costs.
