[1] For one season, in 1898, he became the on-field manager of the St. Louis Browns, at which the team had a record of 39–111 in 154 games.

[1] Noted for his pugnacious and combative style, Hurst was suspended on several occasions for refusing to report player misconduct to his league office, insisting instead he ought to be allowed to settle matters with players personally, often engaging them in fights after the game was over.

At the end of the game, "a number of ill-bred fellows" from the crowd[2] jumped the railings and rushed at Hurst.

After a fan threw a beer glass onto the field which landed at Hurst's feet, Hurst threw the glass back into the crowd, hitting an innocent fan in the head who "fell to the floor like an ox hit in the head with a sledgehammer."

The man was carried off unconscious and in serious condition while police had to keep the crowd from attacking Hurst.