Evening star., 1915-04-11

year ago are much changed Then the
Athletics were as sure pennant win
ner as a club is ever sure in base ball.
and the world series money was with
in the reach of every one of the play
ers on that club. Now. while, of course,
the Athletics may win the pennant,
they have fallen from practically
sure thing to remote chance. Per
sonally, l believe the Red Sox have the
best show for the flag.
Il wrote Mack a letter this spring
telling him that I would not play thus
year. 1t was merely in line with what
I had told him before on several occa-
sions and what I had told him when
signed. Perhaps it may not be the
best way of doing business. but 1t is my
way at any rate. I have no right un-
der contract to ask him Tor any more
money. and 1 haven't asked him for
more money. Furthermore. l have no
intention of asking him or anybody else
for more money. Mack wrote me a let
ter some time ago and asked me II the
money question was what was bother
ing me, and if it was what l wanted to
be satisfied. 1 didn't even answer the
letter. If he wants me to play he
knows where I am. If he doesn't. 1t
suits me. I am very well contented on
the farm. ! have a good farm, over
200 acres. well stocked and we'll culti-
waited I can earn a good living here
in Trappe, the town where | was born
like to play base ball. like nothing
uetteT, Dut l OOIl ike 10 tTdNcl oH lHt
circuit in the summer. I wouldn't
mind a years rest in the least. | am
twenty-nine today and have few
years left.
II am not criticising Collins Tor get
ting the $4,000 he is reported to be
getting. I am not criticisng Lajoie for
getting the $4,000 he is reported to be
getting. I wish base ball could afford
to pay every player that much money.
I wish them all the luck in the world.
| T
interests also, and if ] am not satisfied
I have a right to drop out and earn a
living in some other way. That's clear
enough, I guess. There's no mystery
about that
| These statements were not made al
any one time. They were disconnected
and intermittent. But they give true
| insight into the situation based on II c
| rather than a slfrewd business man.
Bakers attitude throughout has been
one of bluff fairness. He signed q
| three-year contract with Mack under
| protest. against his better judgment
! He said that he would quit at the END
/ of year. merely his way of saying,
| a after all the contract must be adjusted
yearly to suit changing conditions. lie
allowed Mack entire liberty to alter the
contract when conditions changed SO as
| to affect Mack's interests. He claims
! the same privilege for himself now. But
| in characteristic mood he Will not make
any claims upon Mack, but prefers to
| retire to his farm and engage in other
| fully as congenial il less profitable en-
/ pigments.
| To sum up. in Bakers terse words
! Every man has the price at which he
| is willing to work. ] have mine. ! am
| not stating what it is. but I will take
! il if it is offered. ! will work for
Connie Mack cheaper than 7 will work
for any one else. But l will not work
| for Connie Mack or any one else under
| the conditions as they are at present
7 will stay very quietly and comforta
| bly, on my farm and earn my living
just is would have earned it if l had
| never played base ball.