The 1885 World Series: Game Four

The Browns scored another victory over the Chicagos yesterday in a contest that was one of the most exciting that has taken place at Sportsman's Park this season. The visitors outbatted and outfielded the home team, but they ran bases with very bad judgment and three of their four errors were very costly. Anson would not accept McCaffrey as umpire and the opening of the game was delayed forty minutes before a choice was made, William Medart being finally agreed upon. Mr. Medart tried to satisfy both sides, but failed to please the visitors, and after the game was ended declared that he would never again be found in such a position. To the eyes of the reporters he made a mistake in the fifth inning in deciding Burns out at third on Robinson's throw to Latham, but otherwise his decisions were correct, and there was no reason in the kicking that the Chicago players persisted in. In the last inning, after Burns had obtained first on an error by Barkley, McCormick raised a fly to Comisky, who muffed the ball. Burns then ran for third and Comiskey picked up the ball, turning his arm as if to throw to third, causing McCormick to move away from first base, and made a dash to cut off McCormick. The latter tried to get back, but did not succeed, and Comiskey, after touching him, fell over him. When McCormick was declared out he stood on the base and refused to come in, and Sunday walked up to Medart and told him he knew "that man was not out." Medart informed Sunday that he was "a liar" and ordered him to shut up, adding "if you don't do it I'll make you." Sunday shut up, but stood back with his fists clenched, prepared for an attack and looking as if ready to make one. Kelly stepped up to Sunday and led him to the bench. Then McCormick came in from first, with his face glowing like fire, and was making a bee line for Medart, when Kelly met and stopped him. But for Kelly's intervention there doubtless would have been a row, for McCormick is not only hot-tempered but is a fighter, and had he got near Medart there would have been a fight. Had one occurred the Chicago players would undoubtedly have been roughly handled, for the feeling was very strong against them.

The first run was scored by Latham in the third inning. After he had batted the ball, which McCormick ran to field and then let roll about an inch outside of the left foul line, Anson called Kelly close up behind the bat. Then he drove a slow one by McCormick to center and took first. A low throw by Kelly to Pfeffer gave him a life at second, and Foutz out at first advanced him to third. When Caruthers hit to Williamson and the latter threw to first, he broke for home and tallied. The visitors made their 2 in the fifth. Burns led with a single to left, went to second on a passed ball and third on Barkley's fumble of McCormick's grounder. McCormick then ran slowly for second to induce Robinson to throw to Barkley. Robinson, however, threw to Latham, and Burns was declared out. After Halliday had been called out on strikes, Balrymple drove the ball over the right field fence, bringing in McCormick and scoring a home run himself. The winning runs were made in the eighth inning. Latham obtained first on Burns' failure to stop a grounder to short, took second on a passed ball, third on Foutz's hit to Anson and out at first; and scored on Caruthers' single to left. When he crossed the plate, the crowd in the grand stand stood up and cheered. Caruthers got second on a passed ball, but was run down between second and third when Gleason hit to McCormick. Pfeffer scored the out and threw wild to Anson to catch Gleason off first, with the result that Gleason ran to third and scored on Welch's grounder, which Williamson fielded back of third but could not get to Anson in time to put out the striker.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 18, 1885

No one can say that the 1885 World Series lacked for drama.

William Medart, for those who are interested, had been a board member of the old NA/NL Brown Stockings and had previously umpired League games in games in St. Louis. However, it had been pointed out in the past that he was not a particularly good umpire.