McGowan Erupts. They got to see a flair up worth of a 4th of July fireworks display. American League Umpire Bill McGowan threw a baseball at Bud Stewart last night after Ed had filed a verbal brief against a decision by plate umpire Joe Paparella. McGowan’s toss missed Stewart. McGowan continued to curse Stewart, and said he would never talk to him again. Stewart missed the ball and the Indians won in eleven innings, 7 to 6. That about covers the match.
The fireworks went off the first time when Umpire Bill McGowan, umpiring at first base, had made several uncomplimentary remarks to Scarborough, who was on the Nat bench. Scarborough said McGowan called him a “bush ___.”
Then in the eighth inning when Satchel Paige was pitching to catcher Al Evans. Washington had runners on first and third and the game was tied 6 to 6. Manager Joe Kuhel complained about Satchel Paige, Cleveland’s antique relief hurler. Joe said Paige committed a balk. According to Coach Sammy West, umpire Cal Hubbard admitted that Satchel Paige’s delivery was illegal, but refused to call it. “Kuhel asked me to ask Hubbard, who was umpiring at third, if he didn’t think Paige committed a balk when he pitched with men on bases,” West said. “I asked Hub and he said; “In my book Paige balks, but the umpire in chief Paparella doesn’t think so.” One paper had Hubbard saying “It wasn’t my job.”
Later Kuhel thought that a pitch to Cleveland catcher Jim Hegan was a strike. The umpires thought it was a ball, and Kuhel didn’t. Kuhel lost the argument and along with several coaches was given the heve-ho. It was the first time Kuhel had been bounced in his 19 years in the majors.
In the tenth inning, Al Kozar hit a single to right field. Bud Stewart raced for the plate with what would have been the winning run. Umpire Paparella called him out. Stewart and Paparella quickly became embroiled in an argument. McGowan started cursing at Bud Stewart. During the argument McGowan threw a ball at Stewart but Bud had his backed turned and did not see it. Stewart later remarked, “I didn’t see McGowan throw any ball. I was too busy arguing with Paparella at the time. Stewart said he was returning to his position when McGowan cut loose and the two engaged in a sparkling repartee. McGowan (cursing), “Don’t ever speak to me again.” To which Stewart responded, “You’re not worth it.” Later Stewart would add, “McGowan called me names which I don’t want to repeat. He also threatened to chase me out of the ball game and told me never to speak to him again, either on the field or off the field.”
Washington has had problems with Mr. McGowan recently. Several of the older Nat players said McGowan had been abusive to many of the Nat rookies, particularly Al Kozar. “When he’s bearing down,” one veteran Nat said, “He’s the best umpire in the league, but I don’t know, what’s happened to him lately. “Last Thursday McGowan was annoyed with Ray Scarborough shaking his head after some of his calls. McGowan was so mad he threw his ball-and-strike indicator at Scarborough. Ray was able to duck and the device went flying past him. After the game McGowan went to the Washington locker room and asked for it back and Ray took it out of his pocket and gave it back to him.
After the game Bud Stewart told Manager Kuhel, “I felt so made about the things he called me that I could have punched him in the nose.” Jo Kuhel was busy filling out complaint forms. McGowan, age 52, is in his 24th year as an American League umpire. He resides in suburban Maryland said he was not talking. His suspension is expected. What did Cleveland Manager Lou Boudreau have to say? “Me, I didn’t see anything. We won.”
Player Profile – Joe Kuhel
For 17 years, Kuhel was in the majors. He established himself as one of the finest fielding first basemen in baseball. The Senators first saw him in 1930 with Kansas City, when he hit .372. They signed him for $65,000. In 1938 he was traded to the White Sox for slow-footed Zeke Bonura only to come back to Washington in 1944. He returned to the White Sox last year. Before they signed Kuhel, there was talk that the Senators might go after an established manager such as Lou Boudreau.
Kuhel started managing last summer at Hot Springs in the Cotton States League, a Chicago White Sox farm. Instead of moving up a step in the Sox system, he suddenly was offered the Washington job. Joe does card tricks as a member of the Society of American Magicians and will need that magic in Washington. It’s taken him time to adjust and early on he said he was feeling his way. The Washington farm system is anemic and being revitalized by former manager Ossie Bluege. For now Kuhel must depend on castoffs from other teams and the minor league draft. “We’re going for youth,” Kuhel said. “Maybe next year we will be stronger. Right now pitching is our strong point.” Kuhel has this story to offer. One time when I was managing I came home after a night game. After a while my wife called me from upstairs, “Joe, get to sleep and stop worrying,” “I’m just reading.” He told her. “In that case,” she said, “You’d better turn on the lights.”
The 1948 Project
The 1948 Project will be a winter long project Karen and Kevin Flynn will be running in conjunction with a bigger project the folks over at DidTheTribeWinLastNight.com are running this winter.
Did The Tribe Win Last Night is a wonderful website that covers everything about the Cleveland Indians baseball club. Starting September 22, 2013 they are going to start winter project where they are retelling of the Cleveland Indians 1948 World Series Season.
