“He [Johnny Evers] declares he is being persecuted because somebody has it in for his big boss, Charley Murphy, and then he goes on to tell a story of how gentle and kind he was to the umpire at the Polo Grounds on Monday, and how surprised he was when the arbiter gave him ‘the gate.'” J.P.N., “Sports Topic of the Hour,” Newark Star, May 14, 1913, p14.
NOTE: The term was also used, including at least once earlier than this, to mean a player given his release by his team.
No earliest use given in 2009 Dickson Baseball Dictionary
“Umpire [Billy] Evans thought Harry [Heilmann] got too abusive … and gave him the gate.” (Detroit Free Press, July 5, 1918).
