During a Red Stockings road trip in May 1881, The Boston Herald said “An incident occurred at Chicago on the occasion of the Bostons’ recent visit, wherein (Jack) Burdock proved a bigger man than (Chicago) President (William) Hulbert.
Jack Burdock
Days earlier, when the Worcester Ruby Legs played in Chicago, Tom Burns of the White Stockings hit an unusual home run.
The Herald said of Burns’ blast:
“Burns knocked the ball down to left field…It appears that Mr. Hulbert has an office in the left field corner of the Chicago ball ground, and he is also the possessor of a huge dog, which, for some reason, he stations at said office, outside and unchained…(Worcester outfielder Lewis “Buttercup”) Dickerson went for it, but was brought to a sudden standstill by the appearance of the dog before him, with his mouth open and emitting the fiercest growls. Dickerson viewed the animal, and not caring to lose an important part of his uniform pants, he concluded it was not best to try for the sphere. The dog guarded the ball till Burns had made a home run.”
Buttercup Dickerson
The Chicago Tribune had described the play a bit differently:
“Burns, swinging his bat at the first ball pitched, sent the ball clear to the clubhouse for a clean home run. The big black dog owned by the Chicago Club was sleeping on the platform as the ball rolled up to him, and Dickerson pretended to be afraid of the animal, but the latter paid no intention to the fielder, and did not hinder him in the least.”
The Herald said the Red Stockings were told about the incident, and, when they “arrived on the (Chicago) grounds” two days later:
“Burdock went to reconnoitering. Sure enough, the dog was there doing duty. Burdock marched up to Mr. Hulbert, in a manner that is perfectly familiar to Bostonians, and demanded that that dog be locked up or taken off the field. Mr. Hulbert replied in effect that he knew no rule that forbade a dog being on the grounds. He was informed by the earnest ‘bean-eater,’ as Mr. Hulbert delights to call the Bostons, that unless the dog was removed, Burdock would not commence to play. Result—Mr. President yielded, the dog was removed, and the game proceeded.”
The Tribune countered that Burdock protest was simply the result of “a ball-tossers superstition” and Hulbert acquiesced to the “red-legged kicker,” despite there being no rule “covering dogs.”
The paper said Hulbert told Burdock:
“(I)f it will make you any happier the dog shall be bounced.”
William Hulbert
The removal of the dog was not enough to help Boston. The White Stockings won the game 5 to 4.
Baseball History Daily 
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