Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-09

j. Franklin Baker, the man who ripped
a couple Of home runs into the vitals OF
| New York last fall and made us shtver
all winter. is one ball player who has the
right idea, writes Bozman Bulger in the
New York World. Instead Of fiutterng
around in the hashlight of fame for the
brief edification Of city fans he was con-
| tented to go back to the old home town
in Maryland, where he is sure to be a
hero for life. In the little town of Cam
bridge, Md, and the adjoining town of
Trappe, the memory of those two home
runs is as fresh as 1t was in New York
the day following the downfall of the
Giants.
1t takes long time to get to Cam
bridge, but 1t Is well worth the trip.
After being bumped around on accom-
mediation trains for ten hours or more
those trains run by sight and stop when
ever the engineer sees anything of inter-
est-the inconvenience OF the trip were
forgotten by seeing the smiling face OF
Home-run Baker, the Giant killer, at the
station. In fact, the visitor was given a
little more than ordinary attention simply
because he personally knew the man who
put Cambridge and Trappe on the map:
Remember" was the parting injunc-
ton of the old conductor who had been
talking to me about Baker during the
thirty mile ride from Seaford to Cam
bridge, I'VE think lot of this boy down
here and you want to treat him right.
Cambridge is little burg hidden down
on the eastern shore Of Maryland. 1t is
difficult to find in the winter, as the
Choptank river is frozen over and boats
cannot get there from Baltimore.
Natives Feared Deal.
Have a tough trip" asked Baker with
smile as he indicated by a nod of the
head the long inland ride. Somewhat to
the bush, eh?" and he laughed. He had
way in which big league ball teams
hustle around the circuit.
Across the way large party OF boys
were skating on the frozen river Baker
pointed out one who, he explained, was
bear" BEST skaters in the country
down here he said.
us that the way you spend the WIN
ter?' I asked.
II used to like it," he replied. But I'm
stronger for cunning now. we were out
yesterday and got wild goose.
immediately had visions Of the posi-
bilitv of getting shot, but he stopped
it short by adding that he left the shoo.-
ing grounds and would go there no more
shooting army rifles. and the Athletics
stood a chance of losing third base
man by accident.
Come on up to the house, he sug-
gested, where We can talk"
BY this time several of the leading citi-
Zens had gathered around, and they open
ly expressed a fear that some kind OF
a deal was coming off by which the home
run hitter might go to New York They
are awfully strong for the Athletics down
there, and several proud fathers are look
ing forward to the time when their sons
will be grabbed by Connie Mack.
Just a minute" said a distinguished
looking man as he touched me on the
arm and took me aside. You know, I'm
ness. i could tell you just hoW he learned
to hit" Before we had gone a half block
another Cambridge citizen told me the
same thing.
Got IS a Week.
you see," laughed Baker. I'VE have
base ball bugs down here just the same
as you do in the big burgs.
ct did get big start here he went on.
But my first chance came in Ridgely,
Md, where played the outfield for
Charlie Herzog's team. Before you leave
here you'll run into a dozen men who
will tell you they put me in the business.
and they honestly believe 1t.
1.-THE man who started me, however.
was Mr.. Day. whose brother Is Herzog' g
father-in-law. 1 was on little country
and Mr. Day saw me batting the ball
around. He got me to go over to Ridge
ly and join Herzog's team. I was paid
SIS week and my board. That's where
l got my start"
How long did you play the outfield?'
I asked.
mot long," he said. "But before l