Primer Dugout (and link of the day) 12-4-2012

Pittsburgh Gazette Times, December 5, 1912:

Walter Rehg, who joins the Pirates again in the spring, has one distinction. It is that of being the “world’s sassiest ball player.” Veterans have tagged him as the freshest, noisiest and most cussedly impudent “rooky” that ever battled for a job.
...
[Rehg’s first major league at bat was a pinch hitting assignment.] “Who are you batting for?” asked [Bill Klem].
“Why, I’m going to get a hit for myself, old top,” replied Rehg with a saucy grin.
“Don’t get fresh with me, you young busher…what’s your name?”
“Rehg,” replied the youngster.
“How do you spell it?” demanded Klem.
“You don’t spell it,” yelled back Rehg. “You whistle it.”

Rehg proceeded to absolutely crush a ball to deep center field, where (unfortunately) it was caught. There are some other choice anecdotes in the linked article. It’s a fun read.