Evening star., 1915-02-22
HAS QUIT FOR GOOD
Manager Mack Maintains That
Frank Baker Is Sincere.
HINTS AT A BIG CHANGE
Third Baseman Turned Down Chance
to Get Contract at Own
Figures.
HINTS AT A BIG CHANGE

PHILADELPHIA, February 22-"I
don't think the offer of more money
will tempt ]. Franklin Baker to re-
consider his decision to retire from
base ball. but believe he is sincere in
his stand, and is out of the game for
good. Certainly 1 won't make the
strongest effort to get him back
That's what Connie Mack said last
night in reply to the report that Baker
might stick in base ball If better finan-
cial inducements were offered.
Il base this belief resumed the
gaunt general, ION my talks with the
third Sac cker this winter and last sea
son.
IF money had anything to do with
his discomfort 1 would have known
about it.
Baker started the season of 1914 un-
ten-day clause contained in the docu-
ment AS the season wore on I de-
cided to change all contracts for docu-
ments in which the ten-day stipulation
was omitted, but at the same salary
as in the contracts in force. I did
this at the advice of attorneys in
order to get an absolutely ironclad
contract.
Mack Was Held Up.
when I broached the matter to the
players several declared they would
not stand for this slight alteration,
unless they were paid extra for it. Sew
eral of my stars held me up in this
way.
signed the new contract at the same
figure without the slightest protest.
Now, had he wanted more money he
was in position to kick over the
md mo IN Ha
Moreover. when 1 received letter
from him ten days ago containing the
simple statement that he had retired
from the game l replied, asking him If
there was any cause under my control
that could induce him to change his
mind
Mind you. I didn't send any appeal
to him. I said that I considered 1t his
own personal matter and that 1 didn't
purpose to advise him or offer any sug-
gestions. I did say that II he found
fault with the salary in his contract
for him to name his price and that I
would try to grant it.
Bakers answer-came in a few days.
He wrote that he hadn't given the ques-
tion Of money one thought and that he
was quitting solely because he detested
to travel, and wanted to stay in peace
and quiet on his farm at Trappe.
This convinces me that he Is sincere,
and that financial motives have moth
ing to do with his retirement"
No Offers for Baker.
Mr.. Mack was asked whether any
other clubs had made an offer for
Baker, and whether he would sell him
if a good offer were made.
II have had no offers for Baker," he
answered. "and don't look for any. I'm
not in position to say what would
do if Baker agreed to return to base
ball providing he were transferred to
another club.
I'm not losing one wink Of sleep
over Bakers retirement. ] no longer
consider him member of che Athletic
team. and am devoting all my energies
players I know will be with me down
in Jacksonville"
The tall tutor declared that every
member of his regular team was under
an iron-clad contract calling for his
services at Shibe Park in 1915 and 1916.
He said that this included everybody
pitchers, catchers, infielders and out
felders.
Mack made one significant assertion
when asked if he had decided on Bill
Kopf to cover third base in place Of
Baker.
Il can't tell just what I'm going to
do until / get down to Jacksonville,
he explained. "but there is chance
that i shall make big shake-up in
my infield. I won't say or hint what 1t
is going to be. but I have such a
change in mind" ..
Has Altered Lineup Often.
1t is nothing new for Connie to make
radical switches. Fans will recall how
he started the season of 1909 by shift
ing Dan Murphy to right field and Ed
die Collins to second base. This master
move really changed the Athletics into
championship team. Two years later