The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-21
Sports
MACK is BUILDING UP
ANOTHER GOOD TEAM
Within Two More Years Famous Athletic Leader Hopes Te
Have Machine To Equal To One Of Few Seasons
Ago-Connie Says Good Things About Baker.

New York, Feb. 20.--While Presi-
sct Fan johnson and the American
esgue masaate3 who held their an
unl schedule meeting here Thursday
Rrmly congratulated Colonei Rup-
srt and Captain Huston on their pur-
lasa OF Home Run Baker to play
alrd base for tEt. Yankees, they did
pit forget to praise Connie Mack for
determination to help New York
stead of one OF the other cities. Mack
5nid have sofa Baker to owner Com
xsy, Of thu Chicago White Sox. or to
PIN G. Dunn, the new Cleveland
.agnate, but he concluded some time
90 that he could help the league
I'd also the Athletics by dispostn !
Baker to the Yankees for less
oney.
Mack Let Comtsley have Eddie Col
ns last winter for $50, 900, also Eddie
furphy for $1,000. Then ne sold
ack Barry TO the Red Sox for $4,000
ad Strengthened the Beaneaters so
sueh that they captured the world s
eries. II Mack had turned Baker
per to the White Sox Comiskey would
Tobably have had sure penhant
inner this year to the detriment of
be American League circuit. Mack.
lerefore, made up his mind that he
h
" letting Baker go fer half as much
b Comiskey offered for the homo run
hing. As result of the deal the
merican League will reap berefita
hat will amount to mary thousands
dollars In gate receipts at the Polo
rounds.
Mack Praises Baker.
when Il sold Baker to the Yankees
didn't know that the Athletics would
lay at the Polo Grounds on Decora-
on Day" said Mack with a laugh,
tier the magnates had adjourned last
tenlng. Under the circumstances
be schedule maker has been very
Ind to us Baker will make the
ankees win many games. He will
lay as well as he ever did for re.
ell hit well over 400 and WIN be
Fonovan's cleanup man.
Baker is fast man on the base
hths and he Is a pretty fair feder.
e is clever at handling hard ground
RS, but sometimes the slow ones
pther him, He has great whip ana
death on foul flies, but his real
Feakness is in tagging runners, He
afraid of being spiked and for that
bason he often misses his man.
AS drawing card Baker viii oe .
nccess not only In New York, out all
yer the circuit He and | have buried
he Ratchet and | wish him every sue
ess. lie always takes care of HIM
elf and after couple of weeks IT
he Yankees training camp he'll be
fit as fiddle.
The Yankees are very strong, in
by opinion. They have good hltters
\ Baker. Magee. Maisel Pipp and
theirs. Caldwell is one of the best
he. k,..I1 fs 4,
ow York fans certainly will sppre-
late what Colonel Rupert and Cap
bin Huston have done for them in
pending money for new mtn. Such
Unusual liberality should be rewarded.
Athletics Under Construction.
some time next summer he Attn
Rtics will begin TO make things "a bit
Interesting fer the other fellows.
|ontlnued Mack, III l can develop
everal young pitchers early in the
easop shall expect fair results
chang Will he kept behind the bat
Practically all season unless he is hurt
have some capable outficliers in
bldr!ng Strunk. Davies am Walsh.
HcInnis will play first base and LaJoie
Probably will cover second because OF
lis batting. but young Malone Will be
triei in that position.
Ipnngeter named frame HOOKS FALnGf
Sfomising for shortstop. and rye just
purchased third baseman named
Charles Pick from the Baltimore club.
fick Is natural hitter and a smart
Ielder. Bush and Wyckoff will lie
hy veteran pitchers. but | am not
banking on them too heavily | Will
lot take on any new players unless
|hey are youngsters I'll keep my
Feather eve open and whenever | see
| rood kid I'll grab him. Come around
q 1917 and I'll show you first di.i-
eon ball club"