The Washington herald., 1915-10-23
Baker and Mack
Reach Agreement
Home-run King to Rejoin
the Athletics, but May Be
Traded Off Later This
Winter.
CONFERENCE RECENTLY

Philadelphia. Oct. 22.-Frank Baker will
rejoin the Athletics. This does not mean
tnaf he Is certain to play with the Mack
inch next spring. as II is possible that
he viii be traded during the winter, but
II Is practically assured that he Is no
longer q hold-out.
After his bitter quarrel with Manager
Mack, which led both parties to declare
that never would they even consent to
talk to each other, n reconciliation has
been effected through Ira Thomas.
Manager Mack declared as late as Au-
gust that he never wanted TO hear Bak-
er's name mentioned to him again, but
the continued loss of games while other
magnates were clamoring to purchase
the star evidently caused Mack's temper
to cool, and he consented to meet Baker
at Salisbury. Nd. a short time ago and
the two parted the best of friends.
Mack believes that he convinced the
public once and for all that the game
is bigger than the players. and In re-
fusing to trade or sell Baker at a time
when his services could have brought a
record price Mack also showed that he
cared more for principle than money.
. When asked what had happened at the
conference Mack said that he had no
announcement to make at this time. He
admitted having a very pleaasnt talk
with Maker. and said that he may be
considering trades. but would not say
whether Baker would be included in a
trade.
when I make a trade or do business
don't do II with a brass band adver-
-tising the fact. I may be considering a
trade, and I may have fixed everything
I'D with Baker. I refuse to make any
statement on this subject. / will not
afirm or deny anything at this time.
81 am perfectly satisfied with the
outlook. l can always use a star ball
player who can hit, but there must be
more than that in a man to appeal to
me and convince me that he is a win
ming player. Admit that 1 met Baker
al Salisbury. and we talked over things
In general and parted the best of
friends. but / don't care to say any
thing further"
Baker is said to have admitted that
one summer of Independent baseball
was enough for him. and that he want
ed to get back into the game next
spring. He made a threat to jump to
the Federal League II he was not
traded or sold by the Athletics before
January 1, and this no doubt FASTENED
the reconciliation.
Had Mack allowed Baker to go to
the Federal League in preference-to
another American League team the orr
ganized ball fans throughout the coun-
try would surely have protested. Mack
came to realize that he had accom-
plished his purpose in showing Baker
that he was not bigger than the game.
and also thinks that he Is entitled to
something for the development Of
Baker. even II he no longer is of value
to the Athletics.
As matters now stand II looks as IL
Baker is to be traded. but local fans
can rest assured that II he is not trad
ed within a month the differences be-
tween Mack and Baker will be adjust
ed completely and he will be back at
his old post at third base for the
Mackmen next spring.
Despite statements from Chicago and
New York. II Is not likely that Baker
will be sold outright unless Mack sees :
a capable successor to the slugger. as
players are needed more than money
by the Athletics at this time. Several
trades have been suggested. but Mack !
has not received a satisfactory offer |
10 date.