Germany Schaefer

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Germany Schaefer trying out the other side of the camera during a Washington Senators / New York Highlanders game (April 1911)

Herman A. "Germany" Schaefer (February 4, 1877 – May 16, 1919) was a second baseman in Major League Baseball who played fifteen seasons with the Chicago Orphans, Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators, Newark Peppers, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Indians. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he played in two World Series with the Tigers. During the 1909 season, Schaefer and Red Killefer were traded by the Tigers to the Senators for Jim Delahanty. In 1,150 career games, Schaefer batted .257 with 9 home runs and 201 stolen bases.

Schaefer is most famous for being the reason going backwards on the basepaths is illegal. As the legend goes, with Clyde Milan on third and himself on first, Schaefer broke for second base on a double steal. The catcher was wise to the play, and did not throw down to second. Schaefer darted back to first on the next pitch. He then loudly informed Milan that he was going to second on the next pitch, and did just that, and the catcher threw down anyway, and the double steal was successful. Schaefer tried this play several more times before it was outlawed.