Bob Emslie

Emslie began his professional career playing for several semi-professional teams in Ontario until signing on with the Camden, New Jersey team of an early version of the Interstate League for the season. He pitched for them until middle of the season when he joined the Baltimore Orioles of the American Association. The first season with the Orioles, he had a 9–13 record, with 3.17 earned run average (ERA), 21 complete games, and one shutout. His best season was in , when he had a 32–17 record, completed all 50 of his starts, and had a 2.75 ERA. In , Emslie's numbers greatly decreased with Baltimore, reportedly due to a sore arm, attributed to his excessive use of the curveball, at which he was moved to the Philadelphia Athletics also of the American Association. He pitched in only four games for the Athletics; his major league playing career was over, and by his minor league career was through as well. ==Umpiring career==

After his playing career finished he was attending an International League game and was asked to officiate this game between Toronto and Hamilton when the assigned umpire fell ill. He umpired with the International League for the and seasons, then began his Major League Baseball career umpiring American Association games in . He began the season in the Western League, but was back in the majors by August 17, working for the National League. He also officiated on July 13, 1896, when Ed Delahanty become only the second player to hit four home runs in one game. By the end of the season, he began to work the bases almost exclusively instead of calling games from behind the plate. Notably, Emslie and O'Day were the two most experienced umpires in Major League Baseball history at that point, with Emslie having worked nearly 2,500 games and O'Day nearly 1,700. Later, Emslie showed up at a Giants' practice with a rifle, placed a dime on the pitching mound and shot it from behind home plate, sending the coin spinning into the outfield. Reportedly, McGraw never again challenged his eyesight. Other activities Emslie was also president of the Canadian Grand International Trap Shoot, notably in charge of a large meet in St. Thomas, Ontario in December 1916. ==Post-career==

He retired to St. Thomas, Ontario, where he coached youth baseball and enjoyed curling, bowling, and golf. Emslie Field in St. Thomas is named in his honor. ==References==