RubeBaker
07-23-2007, 09:39 PM
After seeing what is going on in the NBA with the whole ref with ties to the mafia betting on games fiasco, I wondered if there has ever benn an umpire caught betting on games.
As a matter of fact, it has happened. Richard Higham was a player in the 1870s, but ended up benched because of his shady mishaps in the field. Despite this, the National Association allowed him to umpire after his playing days were over.
In 1882, Detoit mayor, and president of the Wolverines ball club, William Thompson, began to grow suspicious of Higham's umpiring. Higham umped 26 of Detoit's first 29 games, and Thompson thought Detroit was getting the short end of the stick on way too many of close calls. He hired a private detective to investigate the matter.
The detective found a link between Higham and a notorious gambler, and a childish system of communication. If Higham wanted the bets put down for Detroit to win, he sent a telegram stating "buy all the lumber you can" to the gambler. When he sent no telegram, the gambler was to bet on Detroit's opponent. Armed with this evidence, the other owners forced Higham out of baseball, where he moved to Chicago and became a bookeeper.
He is still the only umpire ever thrown out for complete and utter dishonesty.
As a matter of fact, it has happened. Richard Higham was a player in the 1870s, but ended up benched because of his shady mishaps in the field. Despite this, the National Association allowed him to umpire after his playing days were over.
In 1882, Detoit mayor, and president of the Wolverines ball club, William Thompson, began to grow suspicious of Higham's umpiring. Higham umped 26 of Detoit's first 29 games, and Thompson thought Detroit was getting the short end of the stick on way too many of close calls. He hired a private detective to investigate the matter.
The detective found a link between Higham and a notorious gambler, and a childish system of communication. If Higham wanted the bets put down for Detroit to win, he sent a telegram stating "buy all the lumber you can" to the gambler. When he sent no telegram, the gambler was to bet on Detroit's opponent. Armed with this evidence, the other owners forced Higham out of baseball, where he moved to Chicago and became a bookeeper.
He is still the only umpire ever thrown out for complete and utter dishonesty.