The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-07
R0BBY FAT, BUT
NOT ABOVE EARS

Wilbert Robinson, manager of the
Brooklyn Dodgers. in an interesting in
terview given a New York writer,
makes some sound remarks on the
baseball situation. He is for making
the usual campaign next year and be-
lieves the game will come back strong.
and he expresses logical reasons against
any layoff, Robinson believes players
enough can be secured to equip both
major leagues, and he opposes sugges-
tions that have been heard from some
quarters that the government grant
baseball the favor OF releasing former
players now in service in advance OF
the regular order as a special class.
That is sound in theory, too. and yet
nected with baseball who believe that
as a practical measure the govern
ment should do all In its power to fur
Their the game as a recreation of So
cial benefit during reconstruction time,
II the soldiers in France need now,
more than ever. recreation and re-
good for the discharged soldiers al
home who have not settled down to
civil pursuits, and for a more or less
upset civil population as well.
II the ball players are not needed In
the ~army-and some few hundred oil
them could be discharged without be-
us lfAFNN liu II MIC llNNNODlNJ "
industrial ~superactivity has passed,
then certainly, say some, only good
would be done by action tina would
assure baseball of the former stand
ard, encourage the clubs to go ahead
with plans and promote the r%eorgani-
some doubt as to their ability to equip
themselves, for the smaller leagues
have sent, on the average. a greater
proportion OF their former players into
service than have the higher class
leagues.
There were minor league clubs, for
instance, where practically every man
unmarried and not a claimant for de-
ferred classification because of de-
pendentS. One class B club where the
player limit was Is men sent Is into
service, Another club in the same
league sent II.
observation on the baseball situation.
In the course OF his interview the
Brooklyn manager says:
Il ave no idea whatever as to the
sentiments Of the major magnates. The
war ended so suddenly as to leave bust
ness half stunned, and 1t will probably
he a week or. two before the business
all know many Of the major league
club owners, figuring on indefinite con-
tinuaticn of hostilities, made plans ac-
cordlngly to devote their plants to
other business purposes.
"Ebbets field, for instance, has been
remodeled into a gigantic warehouse
proposition, with every evidence of be.
coming a tremendous business success
But II at any future time these
plants are again to be devoted to base.
bah the owners, In my opinion, would
be foolish not to make preparations fol
a 1919 campaign. Why? ,
We'll the most serious menace tc
any sporting enterprise Is a period Of
inactivity. A lapse Of. even one season
might be ruinous ever to a game &C
well organized and popular as major
league baseball. You see, If baseball
were to desert the field 1t could. only
blame itself II fans devoted their at
tention to other forms OF healthfu'
sports and observation-disclosures racing
boating, fishing, golf, tennis and the
like,
II never claimed for baseball any
class distinction. / always thought the
game should do it's share toward win
ming the war the same as any Other
profession or business. should re.
gret, as a matter of bad taste, any
effort on the part Of baseball TOWARD
special d~ispensation toward mastering
out the stars in active service.
But still believe there are enough
players aNAllaDle, up 10 tnlS Time Ell
gagged In essential and war industries
to assure two we'll balanced leagues
The addition Of others, as their turnt
came to be mustered out, would ado
an i~nestimable spice Of uncertainty
and interest that could not fail to en-
nance the league races.
And, by the way, II my club should
be fortunate enough to r~eacquire thu
services OF several Of baseball's rea
patriots, l firmly believe the Brooklyn
club would be able to give a might,
account OF itself next season. TIL,
Dodgers would have just about thu
greatest pitching staff In the game
Just thing Of this array OF talent-Leor
Galore, Ed Pfeffer and Burleiah Crime,
as right handlers, with Sherrod Smitl
and RUDE Marquard for the port-sid,
roles, Marquard worked every fourth
or fifth day would be as good as eve
he was In his life."