The Washington times., 1913-10-08
Hero of Many Series Games Is
Not Bothered BY Expecta-
tions of Throng.
By GRANTLAND RICE.

PHILADELPHIA Oct. S.-Thirty mill
utes before the battle started yesterday
Frank Baker came over and shook
hands with Buck Herzog-an exchange
of greetings between rival third base
men. AS the Trappe terror stood there
facing the stands We slipped Berton
Braley an earful of the following init
mate conversation. viz:
There's the fellow that many be-
lieve will fall down in this series be-
cause it is easier TO make a reputation
than it is to keep one; they figure that
he will be over anxious, over eager to
make good ano as a result will blow
himself TO a fiZzle.
But take a look at his face-a clean,
honest, open front piece exuding vast
determination. But in il there isn't even
a trace of imagination. He isn't think
ing of what ne did two years ago or
what he must do today; he isn't think
ing of any reputation to be upheld or
V hat 1000 expect him to do This game
looks the same to him as any other and
any. sub concious or psychological
drifts he might hold, point in exactly
one direction which is simply this: I
can hit that pill "
No Imagination.
There you have Baker as he is IN
flesh as well as spirit: square jawed
and square browed-keen of eye
mighty Of arm with big sloping shoul-
ders that express not only lasting pow
er but ease in showing this power
through.
But beyond ali that he is one con-
tender OF the game who is not cursed
with the fatal gift of imagination: that
one big defect that has cracked SO many
stars who were looked upon in advance
a 1rd hn
were expected to clean up and who
cracked beneath the strain.
No, there isn't the slightest trace of
Imagination to Baker. He entered that
series yesterday batting against a left
handler. great left-hander on . day
built to a pitchers order day OF
gray. October half-light with gray
stands projecting occasional shadows
that should have made speed unhit-
table.
Under these onditions Baker went to
battle with a world series batting aver
age of two years at .39l. Two hours
later he had added another home run
to his collection, and he had pushed his
average from .39l to 40. The only psy-
chology which he carried under fire was
the deep y@arning that whoever pitched
would stick one somewhere within
reach. Beyond that he had no other
furry for the day
DdkeI ana SOillnS.
In the aftermath OF Marquard's rout
and Giant defeat. the expert testimony
of why's and wherefores is limited TO
this-the Athletics for that opening
battle proved that the batting eye Is
mightier than the pitching arm.
Two years ago Baker beat the Giants
almost sinIle-handed. Yesterday an
other joined him by the name OF Col
Inns. and with these two working to-
eether there could only be one answer
Baker as announced above, lifted his
world series average from .39l to 400
Collins. in pursuit of his mate, lifted his
from .357 to 400. Between them they
pcstled six hits out of seven times up
six hits for eleven bases, scoring four of
the six runs made.
Unleashed!
THESE twC d,ni-gols of swat were
simyly unleaSheI FOR the day, maulinr
the eternal waGding out of everything
IL si,;ht Marquard, looked to Ice as
good as hc ever waS-and his support
Was almost fiawless.
But the answer is that Mack's' club
was tearing into the baII-hittipg il On