The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-01-19
Former Athletic, However, Is
Demanding Hall Of the Pur-
chase Price Of $4,000 as
Salary.
Benny Kauff Also Is Taking In
dependent Stand With the
Giants and His Money Aspir-
ations Are High.
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

]. Franklin Baker, former home
run king" Of the Philadelphia Ath-
letics, can play third base for the
New York Yankees if he will say
the word. 1t is up to him. But
Baker demands half the purchase
price of $25, 1000, and Connie Mack
absolutely refuses to allow this, I'M
less New York pays this money
over to Baker out of its own treas
ury.
While admitting that he wants
Baker for his Yankees, Captain Hus-
ton, who has just returned from Gin
cinnati to the metropolis, says that
he cannot pay so much money for
a player.
Looking at the situation, it is seen
that to obtain Bakers signature to a
Contract for 1916 the Yankees would
have TO pay Connie Mack $25, 600 give
Baker bonus of $12,5OO, and agree to
pay the former slugGing third baseman
at least $4,000 year. In other words.
Baker would cost the Yankees 1880.
which is much too much, according to
Captain Huston,
''It looks as II We will have to pass
up Baker for next season at least, and
keep Maisel at third. We stopped ne
for by the time we got everything fixed
1t would cost the club nearly $4,000 for
the player" says Huston.
we are willing to pay a reasonable
price for Baker. and pay him well for
playing third for us. But from the
present outlook it hardly seems pos
Sible that he will play with us next
season unless other arrangements are
made later on. Just now the New York
club is not interested in Baker, but an
iufielder and outfielder who played last
season in the Federal League"
Benny Ksun Is liable to kick up a
fuss about signing a contract with the
New York Giants.
1T looks as though they are trying
TO rub II into me again. Kaun said
Today Il saw Hampstead and McGraw
at the club offices last Saturday, and
! told them that 7 would not sign a
contract unless they gave me tho
money I want for my services. l don't
want a million dollars or any part OF
IL, but just what my services believe
are worth. What ask is fair and just,
that's all
Hampstead refused to consider my
proposition. Then they told me that
place if I would not sign. That was
merely bluff to scare me into sign
ing. I told them to so ahead. which
they evidently did not do.
I'm not going to sign a contract with
the Giants unless theY give me what
want. II Hampstead and MCGraw want
me to play for them. they know where
10 get me. That is all / am going ia
say at the present time. With me it's
now case of watchful waiting"
-
Harry Sinclair. former Federal League
lnagnate. is i'll with the grin at his
apartments at the Plaza Hotel today
Ills secretary declared Sinclair had nC
statement to make concerning the report
that he is to purchase the -. Louis
Cardinals.
An exchange names tho following
headlines that will DO missed this sum-
mer:
Feds Sec Cobb in Secret.
Giants Sore on McGTaw.
Alexander Sure to Jump
Gilmore Talks to Doyle.
Weeghman and Collins Confer.
Feds Acquire site in New York
Frank Baker Jumps to Newark.
Feds Have So, 100000 to. Spend.
Feds 10-Cent Ball to Win Fans
Phil Ball Seeks Toney.
Ten Red SoN Stars to jump.
Feds Get Star. Name Withheld.
Malcolm Calvin, the Wisconsin Uni
versity pitcher declared professional
and ineligible to twirl for the varsity
this season, has cast in his lot with the
White SoX, and will accompany Row
lands team To the training camp in
March. Calvin is a big fellow with
signs Of promise.