The Washington herald., 1914-12-15
Schaefer Is Given His Unconditional Release by Griffith
Grif Splits Up His Comedy Team
Handing "Dutch" ScFlafer His Release
Germany" Is Forced to Go,
Owing to American League
Retrenchment Scheme.
OTHER SPORT COMMENT
By WILLIAM PEET,

Germany Schaefer. player. coacher and
comedian OF the Washington ball club
during the past four years was yester-
day given his unconditional release by
Manager Clark Griffith.
This move was necessary in order to
conform to the retrenchment policy re-
Gently adopted by the American League,
which calls for a twenty player lin
II list after May ! of every season
The cutting loose of Schaefer means the
breaking UP fthose sterling coachers.
Germany and Nick AItrock over
whom many American League managers
have registered protests since Griffith as
sumed the reins here.
According to Griflth, II was a case
Of necessity. He had to let out either
Schaefer or Altrock and decided to re-
lease the former. AItrock will be re-
tained as he has been of considerable
service in developing such pitchers as Joe
Boehling and Jack Bentley.
The Old Fox was Ioath to part with
Schaefer. He paid the Teuton a fine
compliment, saying: II consider Germany
one of the smartest men in baseball to-
day, He would make a success as a man
ager or in any capacity connected with
the national pastime. / simply had to
let him out. That's all there was to it."
Anticipating this move in advance
Grtn last week tried his best to get
John McGraw, of the New York Giants
to sign Schaefer. but McGraw informed
him that he was also up against the
same stif proposition Of a small player
list and could not see his way clear to
grab the comedian.
Schaefer has been with the Nationals
since the summer OF 1910, when it will
be remembered. he came here from De-
troit during the Cantillon regime, fgur-
ing in a trade with Red Killifer for
Jim Delehanty.
Since wearing a Washington uniform
Schaefer has played both the infield and
Outfield for the Nationals. In 1912 he
was shifted to first base and batted
over 300.
Nick Altrock's success in developing
Joe Boehling and Jack Bentley stamp
him as a pitching coach of no mean
ability. 1t was for this reason that
Griff refused to part with him.
Since the 1914 season closed Altrock
has made the Capital his home. He has
a host of friends here, and unless the
national pastime goes completely on
the rocks. has a life job with Griffith.
Tip O'NeiIl, former Washington play
er. and president of the Western
League. is in our fair city for a brief
visit with his brother.
You have heard the blasts from the
American Association and the Inter
leagues" says O'Neill, about
the injuries inflicted by the Federal
League invasion last season.
We'll, you haven't heard the Western
League emitting a yelp, have you?
Il should say not" he added. And
let me say. for one. that we finished the
season in good shape. Every club, with
A. ~
We will continue to do So"
AS a minor league president, one know
ing the why's and wherefores OF baseball
contracts. Mr.. O'Neill was asked what
he thought of the Walter johnson case.
Il think" he replied. that the Wash
ington club has johnson bound tighter
than the head of drum. He will either
pitch for Groffith or else he will not be
in baseball next year. The Feds haven't
a chance to get him.
BY cutting down the players to twenty
one for each National League team and
for each club in the American
League between May l and September !.
the magnates figure that they will greatly
reduce their expenses. Including salaries
and travelling bills. each National League
club will save at least $4,000, while i'm
the American League the Figures will
reach $4,000. In Gov. Tener's circuit.
therefore. $4,000 will be saved in this
way. while in Ban Johnson's circuit the
total expenses will be about Sl45,OOO less |
-han last season.
George Stallings' contract with the Bos- !
on Braves had another year TO run. Now |
lin Gaffney has signed him to four addi- !
ional years, insuring George five years !
E,l, 20 PnSfnn MT Of he iplrp |
lass in the National League. Gaffney !
certainly had reason to tie up to Stall |
ngs for a long period. The manager |
nan has never made a failure of any |
cam he ever handled. so far as known.
instead, he has invariably delivered the |
FOODS and shown himself one of the few
constructive geniuses in the game. He
$ a worthy successor to the late Frank
;elee, who won pennants for Boston in
he old twelve-club league days, and who
vas a real constructor, with far less
a cilities than the present-day manager