The groundskeeper kept two large dogs chained to the clubhouse in deep center field. I think they were mastiffs; anyway, when they stood on their hind legs they were much taller than a man. Washington invariably had poor ball clubs, but in no city were the fans harder on umpires. On this occasion I had to call several decisions against Washington. At the end of the game there was a prolonged hiss. Someone then unleashed the big dogs in center field, and with canine intelligence they understood I was the object of the hisses. They came tearing across the field and leaped at my throat. It was the toughest spot I ever was in, and I don't know what might have happened if some friendly players hadn't driven off the big beasts with their bats.