On Thursday, August 23, 1860, an estimated 20,000 uproarious spectators converged upon the grounds at Gates and Lafayette Avenues, home of the Putnam Base Ball Club, for a decisive third match between the first nines of the Atlantic and Excelsior base ball clubs. The previous two meetings were split, the first taken by the Excelsiors, the second by the Atlantics.
With umpire Henry Thorn's call to play, a tightly contested affair unfolds with young Jim Creighton pitching for Excelsior and Martin O'Brien for the Atlantics.
In the opening frame, the Excelsiors promptly push across five runs. The Atlantic nine respond with one in the bottom half of the first and two in the second. A tally by each club is then traded in the third. Two more aces are posted in the fourth at the expense of the Atlantics, who then tally one of their own in the bottom half of the fifth for an 8-6 advantage in favor of Excelsior.
In the sixth inning, at third, Atlantic center fielder Archie McMahon is called out by umpire Henry Thorn on a curiously close baserunning play. A riled McMahon, instead of respectfully surrendering the base, stands his ground in vociferous protest.
The dispute between player versus umpire fast devolves into crowd disorder as comportment and decorum fall victim to a more tenacious gambling element who disruptively pounce onto the player's grounds with the interests of the Atlantics and their pockets in mind. Despite over 100 police officers on-site and the joined pleas of Excelsior catcher Joe Leggett and members of the Atlantic, the match is delayed and ultimately suspended when Captain Leggett orders his team to gather their belongings and disperse from the field.
Left fielder George Flanley and center fielder Henry Polhemus each lead the Excelsiors with two runs. The Atlantics are led by catcher Dickey Pearce and third baseman Charlie Smith also with two runs apiece.
"... the real or fancied injustice to McMahon of the Atlantics, by a decision made, and the last inning was made amid the hootings and yells of those who were apparently friends of the Atlantics. Mr. Leggett of the Excelsior was supported by the Atlantic nine in his efforts to secure order but failing, the Excelsiors withdrew, and immediately left the field, followed by a crowd of roughs, alternately groaning the Excelsiors and cheering the Atlantics. The game is drawn, and, if ever played out, will take place in comparative privacy, on some inclosed grounds. The determination shown by the Excelsior Club on this occasion is worthy of great praise, and meets the approval of the vast majority of the respectable portion of the base ball community." - Brooklyn (N.Y.) Evening Star, Friday, August 24, 1860
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