Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 145, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 June 1916 — WILBERT ROBINSON SEVERE TASKMASTER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WILBERT ROBINSON SEVERE TASKMASTER

There always has been an impression that Wilbert Robinson was an easy boss and that as such his men will play on him with the result that the athletes shirk their duty to the detriment of Brooklyn’s pennant interests. Any number of fans can be found who will declare in favor of a taskmaster like McGraw and against a suave manager like Robby. They hold the opinion that ball players must be driven slavelike if a club is to be a winner. Kid-gloving them gets nothing in the end but the horse laugh. Recent events have proved, however, that Robby is less solicitous of the feelings of his men than in other years, writes Len Wooster in the Brooklyn Times. While he still applies the salve and is ever ready to bestow praise for a clever piece of work he is driving his team harder

and compelling every man in a regular berth to step right up to the top notch of his ability. Failure to meet requirements carries with it the ignominy of a job at bench warming. Ollie O’Mara was given two days only to establish his worth to the team. The same limit was set for Gus Getz. Casey Stengel was somewhat short of the standard and Jimmy Johnston was given the assignment in right field. Zack Wheat is under surveillance. The noted caretaker of the left wing of the outer defense is cutting very little figure in batting and his fielding lacks the snap of old times. Robby is determined to land Brooklyn a winner if it’s in the team. He is experimenting with that object in view. Robby is playing the cards for a winner, and expects every man to do his part or suffer the consequences.

Leader of Brooklyn Dodgers and Some of His Players.