"Dead-ball" era Characters wanted....tell us of your favorites ?

[Brian Van Horn]

Another one to mention is Germany Schaefer. An obscure rule is in place which basically states that once you advance to the next base you can not return to the previous base. One day he Schaefer stole second base. On the next pitch he returned to first. On the next pitch he again stole second base. Thus the need for the rule.

[packs]

I think I remember reading somewhere that Bugs Raymond used to pay for his drinks with signed baseballs. Anyone ever seen one?

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by packs

I think I remember reading somewhere that Bugs Raymond used to pay for his drinks with signed baseballs. Anyone ever seen one?

That was from "The Glory of Their Times". I can't recall who said this, but I'm thinking it was either Snodgrass or Doyle. Regardless, none of these mythic baseballs have ever turned up. The pastime of collecting baseball autographs was in its infancy when Raymond was pitching. Precious few team-signed balls exist from that era, and single-signed baseballs weren't en vogue until midway through the Ruthian era. I've always suspected that the player who recalled the Raymond story was getting his facts mixed up. I could envision Raymond trading balls for beers, but doubt any were signed.