When Ty Cobb was suspended for beating up a heckler during a game with the New York Highlanders (soon to be Yankees) on May 15, 1912, the rest of the team refused to play the next scheduled game. However, the Tiger’s management signed up replacement players so the game went on. The Tigers watched from the stands on May 18 but returned to play the next game.
Sources :
Michigan History, May/June 2011.
“Cobb Not Reinstated; Tigers Quit Field”, Detroit Free Press Sporting Section, May 19, 1912.
For another account, see Baseball’s First Strike, Philly Sport History, May 18, 2011.