In 1905 Chicago White Sox outfielder Jimmy “Nixey” Callahan talked about his first season in Chicago in 1897 in an article distributed by “Newspaper Enterprise Association” to several newspapers across the country:
“’Bill’ Lange, who is now a prosperous real estate dealer in Frisco, and former Umpire Tom Lynch, who is a theatrical magnate in New Britain, Conn., were sworn enemies of the diamond. On the ball field Lynch insisted on being addressed as ‘Mr. Lynch’ and was probably the strictest disciplinarian that ever wore a mask.
“We were playing in Boston with the old Chicago club, under (Cap) Anson, and noticed that the broom used to brush the plate was always kept or thrown over to our side, due to some superstition of other on the part of the Boston players to have it on the visitors’ side. Lange was leading off about the fifth inning and as he walked to the plate he picked the broom up and threw it over on the Boston side. (Hugh) Duffy, who was then captain of the Boston nine, threw it back. One of our players ran from the bench and hurled the broom over to the Boston side. The large crowd began to see the humor of the situation and began cheering the players as the broom passed back and forth. Lynch stopped the game and as a truce umpired the rest of the game with the broom in his possession. The next day the broom was missing and Mr. Lynch carried a small whisk broom in his pocket.”
National League President Thomas Lynch
During the same series, Callahan said:
“Lange’s method of annoying Lynch was artistic. When at bat or passing Lynch he would say” ‘Don’t you think Boston will win today Mr. Lynch? Or ‘Don’t you think Boston will win the pennant Mr. Lynch? Would you as a disinterested party like to see Boston win, Mr. Lynch?’ Never giving Lynch a chance to fine him by being vulgar or noisy, Lange would not stop walking when addressing him, ever.
“He would have Lynch furious, but as he kept within the bounds Lynch was forced to take his medicine.”
Five years later, after Lynch had been named president of the National League; Lange retold the broom story to a reporter and said:
“After the damage had been done I suggested that we compromise by allowing one half the handle to lie on one side of the plate and the other half on the other.”
Years later, another National League umpire, George Barr, told a reporter for The Associated Press that the umpire’s whisk broom was “The most important thing, he possessed on the field:
“That little whisk-broom which most of the fans and players, too, believe is carried around to keep the plate free from dust is actually the symbol of authority the umpire has over the game.
“So when you are working behind the plate, stride up to the old pan and give her a vigorous dusting, even if the thing’s as clean as a whistle. That’s to let the fans and players know you’re in charge of the game—that you’re the official representative of the league which, in fact, you are.”
George Barr
Baseball History Daily 