July 24th, 1873 - The situation had been building all day in New York as the Mutuals hosted the Baltimore Canaries in a key matchup. Bob Ferguson (Brooklyn Atlantics) was umpiring the game as a substitute. Nat Hicks, Mutuals catcher had expressed his displeasure throughout the game on Ferguson's interpretation of the strike zone (from the dugout), amid other calls. The altercation reached a head as the game ended and the Mutuals lost by one run. Hicks, unleashed a verbal barrage on Ferguson, and Ferguson picked up a bat and hit Hicks in the right arm. Hicks' arm was broken in two places.
The New York crowd seemed stunned at first, but then came to life and threatened to charge the field. Some of the more boisterous fans did rush the field, and Ferguson was escorted off under police escort for his own safety.
Hicks, the backup catcher for the Mutuals, is expected to be out of action for at least 2 months. Here are the current standings.
