He was the umpire who made the most controversial call in baseball history...the play that became known as "The Merkle Boner." (Watch our video recap of that incident here)

The NY Giants never forgave him for favoring the Cubs on that play, and were especially suspicious of him because he was born and raised in Chicago (although he played for the Giants in his playing days).

In 1914, that call looked even more suspicious when Hank O'Day was hired by the Cubs to manage their team. Not only did they hire O'Day, they hired him to replace beloved Cub Johnny Evers, who owner Charles Murphy had run out of town. Evers spent the 1914 season managing (and playing for) the Boston Braves. The Braves went to the World Series. The Cubs finished in fourth place, 16 ½ games behind the Braves.

Under Murphy's and O'Day's reign, the Cubs were the third most popular team in Chicago in 1914 behind the White Sox and the Federal Whales (who played in what is now known as Wrigley Field). Within a year, owner Charles Murphy was run out of the league by his fellow owners. Chicago fans cheered when it was announced. O'Day left even sooner; his managing career with the Cubs lasted exactly one season. He went back to his original job...National League umpire. He remained in that job until 1927.