Some historians credit Hildebrand with inventing the spitball. Supposedly, while playing catch as a minor league outfielder in 1902, he discovered what a ball dampened by dew on the grass could do. Subsequently, he taught the pitch to Elmer Stricklett, who taught it to Ed Walsh. Of all his calls in 23 years as a ML umpire, the most controversial came in Game Two of the 1922 WS between the Giants and Yankees when he stopped play because of darkness in the 10th inning of a 3-3 tie. He was criticized at the time by many who believed the game could have been continued for several more innings. Commissioner Landis, sensitive to WS scandal two years after the Black Sox, turned the game receipts over to charity.
