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| During August of the 1918 season, Chase was suspended from the Reds without pay for the remainder of the season. The Red's team president did not offer an explanation of the suspension. Chase did: "Lets not beat around the bush. I'm accused of betting on ball games and trying to get a pitcher to throw a game for money." pitcher Jimmy Ring was approached by Chase during a game against the Giants. As Ring strode in from the bullpen, Chase said, "I've got money on this game, kid. There's something in it for you if you lose." Chase's words had a disconcerting effect. Ring threw his first pitch over the catcher's head, and the Giants scored the winning run. The next morning, as Ring and his girlfriend sat in the lobby of the Reds' hotel, Chase walked by and slipped him a fifty dollar bill, telling the couple to enjoy a night on the town. Ring reported the incident to Mathewson. Chase's reaction to his suspension was to sue the Reds for back pay missed and demand a formal hearing on the charges, conducted by National League president John Heydler. Mathewson was unable to testify in person since he was serving with the U.S. Army in Europe. His testimony was submitted in afadavit form. Players Jimmy Ring, Mike Regan, and Greasy Neale of the Reds testified against Chase in person, as did Pol Perritt and manager John McGraw of the Giants, who, unknown to Matthewson, would become the most interesting witness of all. This case was the first major court drama involving baseball and gambling allegations (and it certainly was dwarfed in the near future). The testimony against Chase, at least on the surface, appeared damaging. Perritt said that before a doubleheader in Cincinatti on July, 17, 1918, Chase asked him which game he was going to start. Perritt replied that he didn't know. Chase said: "I wish you'd tip me off, because if I know which game you'll pitch, and can connect with a certain party, you will have nothing to fear." Ring recited his story and then Neale took the stand. He said that Chase boasted he had won $500 after a doubleheader loss at Philadelphia in 1918. Later that season, Chase told Neale to bet $200 on the Reds since, " this is the day for the Reds to win." Chase, with a New York sportswriter appearing as his character witness, testified that he had only bet on two baseball games in his life. One being a post-season game between the Reds and Cleveland, the other when he was a spectator, presumably while watching the Giants at the Polo Grounds. The official finding of the National League president was issued on February 5, 1919. It appears following ... |
