Saier played for the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburg Pirates during his eight-year career cut short by an injury. At one time he was known as the “fastest man in baseball.” He began his career playing for the Lansing Senators in 1910. In 1913, he led the National League with 21 triples. During his career he played every game at first base.

The Saier family had German roots and originally lived in Westphalia before moving to Lansing. The family was instrumental in the establishment of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Saier caught the eye of noted sports columnist Ring Lardner, who wrote a poem for him titled ‘Why Do You Get Your Shirt So Black,’ a reference to his base stealing skills.

Vic Saier may have been a hometown hero, but in 1917 his uncle William Saier made some pro-German comments and was taken for a ride to the Country Club by a group of Lansing businessmen and tarred and feathered.

The State Journal the next day ran an article about the incident with the headline “Uncle of Crack Cub First Baseman Gets Coat of Tar.” The State Journal was sued for libel by Saier and noted author John Herrmann wrote his book “Foreign Born” about the incident.