Evening journal., 1915-02-18
MACK HAS RECRUITS
FOR BAKERS Place
Athletics VIII Take Extra
Squad of Infielders on
Training Trip
KOPF MAY LAND
THE EXTRA HOLE

lotics. Connie Mack who gave Baker
his first major league experience. is
planning to OIL the gap In his famous
/ inheld Connie stated last night that
( the loss of Baker would cause him TO
/ take few more youngsters on the
+ Southern training trip next week, and
| be has already pulled in the strings
/ on several young inhelders who will
be given chance to try for the job.
According 10 Connie, he has no idea
Z who viii play third base for the
J. Mackmen this year He has big
bunch of youngsters TO try out and
all hands win be given an opportunity
10 show for themselves. Just who
would be added 10 the list Of candi-
dates Mack declined TO state last
I night. but he said he thought he had
several recruits who would develop
( into drai-class players and he would
give them his personal attention in
the South
The news of Bakers retirement
/ came as ruch a surprise TO the fans
{ that more than ono Of them suggested
plans 10 have the famous batsman re-
/ consider his action. Connie Mack put
a quictus on this last night by saying
/ that he. considered the Baker incident
closed Manager Mack had a long
letter from Baker, i'm which the lat
tor gave his reasons for quitting, and
/ he viii not be asked TO return.
There Is no question that Mack is
sorry 10 lose a man OF Bakers ability,
but he considers that nc did all that
was possible TO keep him and grew
/ tired of coaXing Baker every year to
/ sign contract Mack declared last
/ night that he had no cause to worry
about the future. lie said he wanted
only players who were Wiling to
play
/ Baker is thorough in earnest i'm his
intention to quit baseball, according 60
word received here yesterday from his
home. at Trappc. Md Baker declares ms
announcement is final but says il he
ever decides TO return 10 the game Con-
ME Mack will be the first man he will
ask for a job.
The sensation that Manager Maoh
sprung ON the diners at the sporting
writer's banquet. in Philadelphia, Tues
day night was the talk of baseball yes
,crday. The fans, who have been shock
ed several times by happenings in tho
baseball world since the Boston Brave:
trimmed the MacEmcn in the world.
series. are prepared for almost any
thing 10 happen. hut Bakers retirement
proved hard blow just the same. Hao
Connie Mack said hc was going to quit
the game himself the crowd could
hardly have been more surprised.
The only excuse Baker gives ioi
quitting baseball at this time Is that h'
is tired of raNcling about the country
sleeping iu railroad trains and living n
hotels when he might be hunting ani
fishing. retiring and rising with th
9 sun. breathing pure, fresh country az
8 and living happily ON the farm whcr
o the Wells of tho fans never reach hi
ears. Baker says he has always bee
treated fairly by Manager Mack, tn
Athletic officials, players and the IAN
n of Philadelphia, and proves It by sayin
that IL he ever thinks of returning
baseball he will try for place ON tll
p Athletics before going anywhere els
Il He says he has no intention of iumpiu
TO the Federal League no matter ho
much IL offers linn.
70 Tie loss of Baker makes anothe
a big hole IN the toam that has los
y Bender. Plank and Collins this year
= and the fans arc now wondering wha
p Connie Mack will do for third base
D man. II is possible that Mack ma
= spring another surprise like tho on
"a that brought Lajoie here to replac
Eddie Collins. but the general inn
. preston now is that he Will Civ
Il "King" Kopf a chance TO show wha
7 he can do TO FIJI Bakers position o
% the regular team. Mack intends {
y take bunch OF youngsters dow
Il South with him and may develop an
p other star but Kopf has had expert
r. ence. has shown ability to play tn
2 bag and the chances are that he vii
be given the place Still, you ca
3 mover tell what Mack has up hi
3 sleeve. and these are the days OF bi
1 surprises in baseball
3 When asked for q statement as I
9 why he quit. Baker said:
- 81 have decided 10 quit the Attn
8 letics for the sole reason that | an
sick and tired OF travelling aroun
o the country" said Baker. For som
a time past ] have had my fiji of jaunt
Is ing around. and this winter / mad
i3 up my mind that have had enough
20 so ! notified Connie that / would no
= play again. I want il understoo
81 by my Philadelphia friends that
= have absolutely no other reason. NJ
treatment in Cannie Macks hand
has been more than fair
"Thc Federals have nothing 10 4
with my decision. and | have not IN
slightest idea Of going with them.
love baseball and probably will pla
Just as long as 7 can wear uniform
even If il is around the country dow
here. but no more worldwide tourir
for mine"
Baker was then asked whether :
would play again for the Athletics
he changed his mind. and he said:
IL the big league fever became I,
strong for me TO resist should FIR
= ask Connie if he wanted me. and
so. | would gladly join the Athleti
n again. Even now it is hard to fe
II that l have 70 quit while | think I a
n in my prime and there is no telliI
N what may happen in the future Il
NJ hard TO get out when you feel iii
VI continuing. but sinse I don't need q
N money so badly, I am going to plea
N my fancy.
n "tvcn II | meyer return 10 The
. tent. want TO express my gratitu