New-York tribune., 1919-03-15
Vic Safer May
Play First for
Dodgger Team
Ebbets in Dicker for the
Former Pirate -- Herzog
Deal Still Hanging Fire
By w. |. Macbeth


Vic Safer, several years ago cons;d-
cred one of the most valuable first
base men of the National League. may
be member of the Brooklyn National
League club by the time the Dodgers
leave for spring training at Jackson
Vile, Fla next week. Presiuent
Charles H. Ebbets OF the Superbas has
been In negotiation with Barney Drey-
fuss. boss of the Pittsburgh Pirates,
for several days past and is sanguine
OF landing the services of the veteran,
1t has been learned
SAFER, at the moment, is not in very
good odor with the government of or
ganlzed baseball. He is on the ineligi-
having refused to report to Dreyfuss's
club after former President Tencr
ruled him the property of the Corsairs.
1t wlll be necessary for Safer to secure
reinstatement at the hands of the Ma
tlonal Commission before he can play
with Pittsburgh or elsewhere, but as
he has committed no serious offence
and as he seems anxious to play this
step should be rather easy
SAFER, as matter of fact. was more
or less the victim of a little plot
More than two years ago. before the
Cubs secured Fred Merkle from Brook
lyn, VIC was unfortunate enough to
fracture his leg: In the spring of 1917
the Chicago club handed the PLAYER his
unconditional release, but only for tho
purpose OF covering him up Safer
was paid salary in full for the season.
though he was idle.
Last season Dreyfuss, who learned
OF the secret treaty, laid claim to the
services OF Safer. His claim was sub
president of the National League. But
Saler' who wished and hoped to go
pack with the Cubs, absolutely refused
10 report to Pittsburgh His obstinacy
cost hlm years salary. Meanwhile
Mollwltz, who was given the assign
ment at first base for the Pirates. made
good IN such fashion as to put Saier's
memory in the shade-~out around the
steel town, anyhow.
Fits in With Dodgers
Providing Safer has entirely recov-
cree from his injury (snd he has had
plehty of time and rest to do so moan.
Wfnle) he should fit in very nicely with
elAe Brooklyn team. The most strikin..
weakness of the Dodgers al thn
moment is first base. providof
uncle Robbie is lucky enough 10 Get
Schmandt, Ward and Mitchell out Of
the army, not to mention his sou+h
pa" ace, Sherrod Smith, he could pre-
sent very formidable array ever,,
where but at the initial sack. Rut Io
mas no experienced veteran at The nosi.
tlon since Jake Daubert was traded Ia
Cincinnati. '"00" -
Uncle Robbie has been .n,yzied al
winter about the first bare dilemma
lie believes Schmandt could be ron
Verted into most reliable first earknr
but would prefer having him az 60
ond, where he has proved HE wo,,i
should Snicr succeed IN untfin, III,
release by the time the. season opcnn
soutbpaw Mitchell, too. has shown rstn
ueldlhg ability At tLe ponitiou. Buf
the S"'er Of heveraf years aPo would
ahspro a., hobDie n rAttiing good inGeid.
nv nv ou}n''9 will shape up among the
pest, with Whcft. GiAith, HI Never.
ana Jimmy lliekman,
ne brookilIn team Will 20 South
w'lh ~ iuIl strength intact, preei.
ueht EppotH announces. The 'Sauire
o. flhtbush served notice some weeks
ago that ane but signed players would
l'' =" nlioWo a TO make the journey st the
b@penSe - or the club This warning has
nau ii salutary effect, for all the plav-
eIs or consequence out Of the armv
ale iready eligible. The Squire evi-
dehtlY has been somewhat more Ib
ela' than In former years, for several
Gu Atomary malcontents are now sing
NIg ms praises. Zach Wheat, who will
captain the club, is one of the
ers and should easily succeed In
smoothing away any few grouches that
might be carried to tho training camp.
certainly there IS no more popular
manager anywhere than the good
hearted, wholesouled Robbie.
The management of the Yankecg
does not seem overly impusive in the
matter of running after the high
priced Charles Lincoln Herzog, whose
presence in the National League at
the stipend involved was considered n
luxury. Indeed. the Yankees as yet
have made no move for the PLAYER.
They are no doubt waiting for George
w. Grant to make the first move if he
intends to part company with Herzog.
Mr.. Grant, as a matter IF fact. went
back to Boston the day after his in
terview with Herzog. He will pass
through our village again to-day, II
indeed he does not weekend here.
He is bringing his Braves down from
Boston to ship them to their Colum-
bus, Ca, training camp over the sea
route to Savannah. Mr.. Grant himself
viii take the train.
Herzog Deal Hanging
It may be that the owners of the
Braves and Yankees will open pre-
liminary sparring for the celebrated
chatuel De1ofe nlgntfau or shortly
after. But the New York Americans
are not so badly off as they were be-
fore Roger Peckinpaugh came to terms.
They never were so really terror
stricken by Del Pratt's threatened re-
tirement, for Pratt proved more or
less of bust" after Higgins went
a long way TO rescue him from most
unpleasant situation in ST. Louis.
Huggins is of the opinion that Pratt
would have his work cut out for him
to deny Wilson Fewster the regular
beat at the keystone sack. Herzog, of
course, would be valuable utility in
fielder, and in case Baker should de-
eide to stay on the farm would fit
in nicely at third. The Yankees, how
ever, are far from despairng of the re-
turn of the Hoe Ran King. 1t is pc
lieved he will be ready for duty by tho
time tae club comes North.