Evening star., 1913-12-14
BY BILLY EVANS.


That Herman Schaefer's comedy is not
always taken in the light of joke was
demonstrated at the close of q game
in New York last summer. The two
young men who took Schaefer seriously
do not know to this day what an awful
line of bunk they fell for. It's a rather
interesting tale. and proves once more
that you should never take anything for
granted in base ball.
During one OF the games at the Polo
Grounds the Nationals started rally
in the eighth inning, that gave hopes for
victory. Manager Griffith decided that
the presence of Schaefer as a pinch hit
ter for the chap who was pitching might
help things. He was sent in to keep up
the batting rally II possible. In attempt
ing to dodge a very bad pitch, the ball
hit his bat very close to the handle. He
fell to the ground with thud, q look
OF pain spread over his face, and he
Srasped his wrist He hoped to impress
on the umpire that he had been hit by
a pitched ball. Despite Schaefers in
sistence, the umpire refused TO see it
that way, and refused to grant Schaefer
his base. On the next ball pitched
Schaefer flied out.
Calls for Assistance.
As Schaefer walked back to the bench
to get his sweater and glove. prior to
going to the clubhouse. his work for the
day having ended he made it point
TO stop just about the time he reached
the umpire. He was still holding his
wrist and making every effort to impress
on the crowd that he had been hit by
the ball and that the umpire had erred.
Stopping momentarily as he reached the
plate he faced the grandstand and made
an announcement to this effect:
Il believe my wrist has been broken; /;
if there is a doctorin the crowd will he
come TO the dressing room. An eye
specialist would also make mistake in
calling on the umpireS.
Two young doctors who had just grad
uated We're at the game. Not being able
to understand just what Schaefer had
said. they turned TO 'their neighbor Tor
information. The fan simply told them
that Schaefer believed he had broken
his wrist and desired doctor to come
to their clubhouse at the close of the
game. The two young medical men, who
had been none too busy since graduation
decided that Schaefer was just the man
to work on to gain national reputa-
ton.
Inquire for Germany"
beIOre the clOSc OIL the game tneS pre-
sented themselves at the clubhouse and
inquired for Mr.. Schaefer. After beng
presented to Germany they made
known their mission; they were ready to
set the broken wrist. Herman was almost
overcome. but recovered in time to thank
them and say that the club physician
had just examined the injury and said
there were no breaks.
THANK God some one takes me serious
ly," is the way Schaefer expressed him
self as the two future great surgeons
niadc their exit.
Several years ago tine Detroit Tigers
play ed series of games in Cuba. Of
course, Schaefer was IA Big hit with the
fans. his antics the coaching lines
being second only to tie game. 1T was
not oil the ball field. however. that Schac-
fer pulled his biggest bit of comedy dur
was laid in the lobby of the Plaza Hotel
the audience. with the exc p ion OF the
wives of a few Of the players. was made
up entirely OF some thirty or forty Eng
Iish tourists. Inside of minute all the
tourists had vanished. majority OF
them making very hasty departure.
Went Shark Fishing.
During the stay of the team on the
island the Cubans did everything in their
power to make things pleasant for the
athletes Since only three games were
played each week. Sunday, Monday and
Thursday, the players had plenty of time
| for sightseeing. One o. the diversions
| offered the boys was shark fishing. Col.
! Estrampes, Cuban officer. VINO figured
| prominently in the Spanish war. led all
| such expeditions. Being well armed is
one of the requisites of the wise shark
| fisher or hunter. Col. Estrampes took
much pride in his shooting irons. and
nothing pleased him more than to deck
| out the Detroit players with his biggest
and best cannons.
| On such expeditions the fellows always
dressed as roughly as possible. and on
their return after three or four hours
| on the water scarcely looked the part of
! society favorites. On the return of one
| of these trips Schaefer concocted a plan
to stir up some excitement. 1t certainly
| d. Replacing his shells with blanks.
i Schaefer rushed to the entrance of the
Plaza lobby. stopped suddenly, and then
! shouted in loud tones