Evening journal., 1915-02-17
HOME RUN BAKER
OUT OF BASEBALL
King Of Long Drivers Will
Spend Remaining Days
{ on the Farm
ANNOUNCEMENT
SHOCKS THE FANS

worlds series, has quit baseball. lhls
announcement was made by Connie
Mack, manager OF the Athletics, at the
eleventh annual banquet of the sport
ing Writer'S Association Of Philadel-
phia, held at the Hotel Majestic last
night.
Baker out of baseball One Of the
greatest players that ever cavorted
around the third sack, has voluntarily
retired from the national pastime. No
longer will the Philadelphia fans and
the fans throughout the American
League circuit have an opportunity
TO view with pleasure or with pain the
work of this wonderful hitter, the
great home run king. In every State,
In every city in every town or ham
let. the mention Of the name Baker
brings a thrill to the follower of base
ball. How many times has this ter
rible Baker broken up game and
caused the home fans to go wild with
cheers; how many times has j. Frank
lin sent a promising recruit or a
noted star TO the clubhouse, and how
often did the head of the Athletics
wrecking crew bring grief TO an op-
posing nine with a wicked and timely
single. double. triple or homo run!
The latter was his specially and the
many times he shattered the heroic
work of his opponents with one OF
these circuit smashes is now a matter
of history. The famous John ]. Nc
Graw. of the Giants. will bear this
out: even a Marquard or a Mathew
son will confirm this.
Baker has been contemplating this
move for the past two seasons and
many rumors have been current that
he was through. Some reports had
the home run king dissatisfied with
the Athletics and thai he was going
10 cast his lot with the Federals. But
when the sage of the White Ele-
plants made known the true story,
all rumOrs we're shattered.
When Manager Mack was called
upon last night TO respond to a toast
he was accorded a wonderful ovation
and as he arose the feasters sang
cheeTed and the name OF Mack rever-
berated from one cad Of the spacious
hall to the other. This continued for
ten MINUTES end when at last it sub
sided. the leader of the Athletics, in a
trembling voice, expressed his thanks
for the kind reception and after
commencing upon the honors paid
him and his associates, suddenly
ceased speaking, and for one minute
looked out over his audience. Anc
here is what he said:
"Gentlemen, 7 am going TO make
an announcement and it is very i'm
4 Uslr hnt
quit baseball He is now out of i
for good have been anticipating
this move for the past two seasons
but was greatly depressed TO have hin
decide uDon it just at this time.
need Baker and IL goes without ques
ton that his place viii be hard TO NIL
SIN order Go protect myself and th
hub. ! signed Baker 10 three yea
contract in 1914. but before the Hom
Run Hero would sign le had this pro
,iso. inserted: III at any time ! so de
sire TO quit the game, that can do s
and win not he blacklisted. Wen, as
had made seven or eight trips uoWn &
lis farm in Maryland, ! concluded tina
bat was the best thing / could do an
then signed him for three years.
'1iakcr Is going To retire to his tarm'
rank has accumulated quite littl
money during the last cighs years II
has been saving his money and now II
IS Tie owner of two big farms in th
,icinit, OF Irappe. Md, has money p
vested I'm other business and has littl
sum in bank. He IS tired OF the gam
and Is sincere "a lis desire to sever cor
rcciion with baseball.
81 regret that was forced to max
.h- announcement at this time. as yo
,.cn are assembled here on a festive %
casion. Int AS Baker has issued his N
f;matim in regard to his connectio
With baseball do not believe ! coui
rave found better time 60 make th
known. wis Frank every success
Ills now venture. He was Il hard worl
ing. loyal and gentlcmauly player, an
my bcs, wishes are with him now.
thank you, gentlemen"
And then Connie dropped into h
chair. Il did not take the tall sage Ion
80 tell what he had 20 sa,. lie told
briefly. his cnunciation WAS clear, hi
when he had finished il was plainly M
iblc that he was inwardly affected. 1'h
announcement. coming So suddenly, pl
u ouictus ON the entire assemblape.
-Nttl iANH n iNA wv N'iNiiii'N'N 80
main gun could have inflicted no mol
destruction. Connie fired the bOmbshe
hat CARRIED the four hundred or mo-
fans with a deep mourning.
y. frank Baker was born in Irapp
Nd. on March l3, 1856. lie Is six fe
AL and weighs l,j pounds His fir
professional engagement was wit
;eading. Pa. Iri-State League team
iaOS. and his work there soon attract
the attention Of Connie Mack. Mack d
cidrd that Baker would be an acquis
tion to his club and procured him in &
isll of 1905. His oatting average
l9ll was .307, and he iielded 800. BaS
las improved wonderfully in his feidil
and his batting prowess needs no eulog
lie bats left-hsnded and throws righ
handed.
At present there is one man in Z
athletic camp who will be able 20 ho
Town the third corner, and that YOU
man IS Bill Kopf This youth has /
ready demonstrated that he is no or'
nary fielder and is heavy hitter.
has proven that he is dependable a
while IL is true that he is not the fen,
breaker of his renowned predecess'
Baker, he is a polished fielder. Com
win not have to look far TO find pla
% fol- .o-o ,f All Al ..,~kf,v,