|
|
| Title: |
Master of stealing first base |
| Bio: |
Born February 4, 1877- Died May 16, 1919. Even as a player, people knew there was something wacky about Germany. While playing for the Detroit Tigers he attempted a double steal. He was on first and Davy Jones was on third. The Cleveland catcher held the ball and Germany was safe on second. The next pitch Germany ran back to first, where he yelled across to Jones that he was going to steal second again. The next pitch he did just that and drew a throw from the catcher and Jones went home for the winning run. The league outlawed the play at their next rules committee meeting.
Schaefer was famous for pulling other on-field antics including playing a few innings of a rainy game on July 3, 1906 in a raincoat and boots. He pulled the only, hidden ball trick in a World Series game on October 9, 1907. He once announced to a hostile crowd that they were about to witness the greatest batter alive and delivered with a home run (only one of nine in his entire career). He then proceeded to slide into each base, stand up and announce his progress and then after sliding into home announced "Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes this afternoon's performance."
In 1912 he started baseline coaching and teamed up with fellow clown Nick Altrock. He inspired the MGM musical "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," while performing with teammate Charley O’Leary in a Vaudeville act.
|
 |
|
| Hall of Fame |
|
|
 |
 |
|
