New-York tribune., 1918-11-16
Uncle Wilbert
Urges Baseball
Next Season
Inactivity Serious Menace to
Any Sporting Enterprise.
Says Robinson
By w. ]. Macbeth

Wilbert Robinson, manager Of the
Dodgers, who is as close and wise =
student of the game ss anybody Assc-
ciated with baseball. is of the opinion
that the major leagues should operate
in 1919 If only as an act Of self protec-
tion.
The writer ran across the rotund and
happy leader of the Superhas at ths
Pimlico race track the other day, and
between his bouts with the "iron
steeds." as the mutuels are nieknsme6.
Uncle Robbie found time to air a few
Of his opinions as 10 the future OF the
game he loves.
"a have nc idea whatever" SAID
Robbie, ''as to the sentiments of the
major magnates. The war ended Sc
suddenly as TO leave business hal
stunned, and it will probably be a
week or two before the business
world comes back to its senses. We
al know many Of The major league
club owners, figuring or indefinite
continuation of hostilit;es. raade
plans accordingly to devote their
plants to other business purposes.
Now Warehouse
I~pocl T 1911, lOf instance. QhN
been remodelled into gigantic wsre
housing proposition, with every evs
dence of its becoming a tremendous
business success. The same idea was
to have been applied in regard to the
Polo Grounds. Jim GsfTney has
made all arrangements to follow sui,
with Braves Field, Boston.
Whether or not the warehousinr
scheme can be continued in conjuuc-
ton with baseball operations do not
know for @ certainty. | should think
80, however, for most of the steel and
concrete stands have plenty of un-
used space beneath the seats to an
swer q tremendous business call.
But il at any future time these
plants are again to be devoted to
baseball the owners, in my opinion,
would be foolish not to- make prep
arations for 1919 campaign. Why
well, the most serious menace to
any sporting enterprise Is period OF
inactivity. "A lapse OF even one sea
son might be ruinous even to game
so well organized and popular a.
baseball we're to desert the field ii
could only blame itself II fans dc
voted their attention to other forms
Of healthful sports and recrations
horse racing. boating, fishing, golf.
tennis and the like.
~ have never claimed for baseball
any class distinction. always
thought the game should do It's share
toward winning the war the same as
any other profession or business.
should regret, as a matter Of bao
taste, any effort on the part of base
ball toward special dispensation TO
ward mastering out the stars In ac-
tive service.
Enough, Players Available
But still ! believe there are
enough players available. up to this
time engaged in essential and war in
dustries, to assure two weli-balauced
leagues. The addition Of others. as
their turns came to be mustered out
would add an incstimablc spice OF
uncertainty and interest that could
not tan to enhance the league races.
"And by the way, If my club should
be fortunate enough to reacquire the
services of several Of baseoalI's req
patriots I firmly believe the Brook
Iyn CLUB would be able to give
mighty good account OF itself next
season. The Dodgers would have lust
about the greatest pitching staR IN
Inc game. Just think of this ARA
OF talent-Leon Cadore. Jeff PfefTe
and Burieigh rimes as right handers
with Sherrod Smith and Rube Mar
guard for the port side roles. Mar
guard worked every fourth or fifth
day would be as good as ever he va
in his life"