The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-17
COMISKEY WOULD
BUY BAKER IF HE
HAD A CHANCE TO
"Dctcrmined to Land Slugger
at Any Price, Declares
Nayin of Tigers.
THINKS YANkS SHOULD
GET HOME run MARVEL

' IA' HA' 'N' s
,hw,r,cd IN his ambition TO purchase
an American League pennant In 1915,
hut does not intend to curtail his ex-
,nyagancos in the least on hat ac-
count.
If hear the Old Roman has only
started on his campaign for star ma
,.ri,I at any price" said Frank j. Navin.
rresideut Of the Detroit American League
club. during the recent worlds series.
|'oniskey is determined to land j.
Franklin Baker at any cost" continued
the executive OF the Detroit Tigers. ~
understand he Is ready to offer Connie
Mack As much for the third base home
run king as he paid Charles Somers
for Toe Jackson. Connie Mack could have
had that price for Baker a month
tefor, the end of the season just closed.
Mack was not anxious to dispose OF the
rccalcitraut player. He felt hat a prin-
mi. was involved in smoothing the
uatn for a man who had refused to
fIlnl t. Obligations of an unexpired con
traci. Resides. the American League IA
a whole, and Ban Johnson in particular.
opposed the idea of making the circuit
,cph.ayy by allowing one club to absorb
too pronounced strength.
81 understand that because of the
t4lAIA VI NC 80 49,
Coniskcy il more han ever bent upon
getting the services of Baker and that
he Will ou,hid any rival In cash or play
.rs. ] hope for the good OF the league
that Mack shows his customary dis
cerniment If he should decide upon re-
leasing the home run slugger. Chicago
IL quite strong enough as the club stands
20 max. a desperate bid for next seasons
pennaut. II Baker is to play In the
American 1p1pits n1Nt season and not in
Philadelphia, where he Is needed most.
II would he wise to show a preference
30 some other second division club
New York. for instance. New York.
Philadelphia and the whole league would
reap Il benefit thereby"
Navin's remarks reflect the sentiment
. Of the great majority of American
League club owners. After many years
these magnates seem TO realize at last
the vital Importance OF having a strong
club in New York. For years a Ma
:ional League champion in this city
proved a great boon to the seven other
clubs OF the old major league.
American League club owners did not
90 very far out of their way to help
Col. RUPERT and Capt. Huston. the new
owners Of the Yankees, In their first
baseball year. The new owners had to
pay dearly tor IA few players. such as
= NID fANA rs hAtaN ,"AAs ,N'',h
clubs. However, the present owners OF
the Yankees showed such craftsmanship
In spending money for minor league tai
ent that they have won the admiration
81 their rivals. There is a much better
feeling toward New York than during
the old regime. Every one is willing
20 lend "A helping hand apparently. so
long AS he has 10 make no sacrifice OF
his " goods.
Erntt, N4Nfnfg infipnat fnna ~ would an.
pear that the weight OF American League
influence would favor New York rather
than Chicago In the disposition of Frank
Baker. with "A small fortune in pros
pegt FOR the title 10 the sulking player
II Is not believed Connie Mack will vent
his spleen further. Comiskey paid SOL
600 FOR Joe J~ackson-s31. 900 of II cash.
A like sum for Baker would be far In
eScess Of any bid New York might be
expected to make. The owners of the
Yankees offered Connie Mack $4,000 for
Baker last spring. 1t is doubtful II they
would offer so much at this time. for a
Years layoff can have done Baker NO
good.
A peculiar combination of circum-
stances nhauces the value OF Baker as
q New York chattel. In this city he
l. idollZcd NOR. than else where because
Of the home runs he contributed In the
sNu NOElI = tNiAllHlOlenlp seTIeS dkhliirb
the Giants. The shief AKIN OF the
Yankees lies in the lack of proper hit
t!ns strength. one player of Bakers
hitting power should remedy this cry
ing defect. The owners of the New
York Americans declare they are ready
h. bid anything within reason for Frank
BAKER. who probably would be satisfied
with nothing less than $4,000 a year,
the terms of contract he asked from
Mack.
IL seems somewhat reassuring that
NaN!u and other club owners. In the in
terests Of "A balance of power. are likely
10 bring great pressure against the trans
Nr Of Baker to the White SoX. These
m'n point out that Mack could afford
81 sol much more cheaply to the Yam
Lees, who as a first division club would
assure rich profits to the visiting clubs
IN New York and a fine drawing card
90 the home parks of the circuit.
Should Frank Baker come to the Yam
ho's Manager Donovan would have no
trouble placing him in his proper sphere
third base. Fritz Maisel. present
guardian OF the near corner. is an put
...dcr OF rare ability. Fritz, in fact.
irst made his minor league reputation
- tho "uttield, where his speed and fine
ann gttue in to the best advantage.
Whether or not Baker houl come TO
Ncw Y.-k, il is more than likely that
81. rol VIII be tried in the outheld
me- Ing. With this aim in view,
a g mann got a thorough trial in
the lhit.l he last few weeks OF the
season. Bt'.nann appeared both at sec
"ld ana at 'a'rd base n hit well in
both places, Boone proved himself quite
q sure a fielder at third as at second.
~.Ia!sel as aH outtelder would give New
,yfk one OF the fastest garden tries OF
,"' game, ms Frank G!lhooley. a left
landed stDher, can get 10 first even
tNs'er thar Fritz, while Hughie High
Is only a few inches slower than Malsel.
from Detroit come rumblings and
funblines that porteHd a change of
scenery for Wahoo Sam Crawford, many
Years one Of the main gun Of Hughie
- H'ngs's heavy artillery. The base
l'. writer's of that city intimate that
can has slowed too much and has lost
hs httilng eye too noticeably to be of
hI'h further use to the Tigers.
q y ~ not likely hat Jennings would
.''e much trouble IN finding "A market
~ crawford. Sam IL an earnest fell
."W who will be "A deadly hitter so long
- "S logs can carry him, With a
tlSging team like the Tigers he might
No. be so valuable as elsewhere, New
lp.k, however, could afford 10 pay him
& good salary even for his pinch hitting
ablty.
Home Zimmerman emitted wild
g. ks OF anguish In Chicago yesterday
.. ,ust being transferred from the Cubs,
~ story IL out that Bresnahan. who
T. lad II deal OF trouble with the great
= - anxious 10 trade him to either
n. York or Cincinnati.