The Washington times., 1916-01-31
Tells Delaware County League
.Banqueters That He Has
Taken No Step to "Hurt"
Frank Baker.
Has Not Made Any Move Which
Would Prevent TTappe Far
mer's Signing With New
York Yankees.
By LOUIS A. DouGHER.

Connie Mack, the shrewd leader
Of the Philadelphia Athletics, de-
nies that he is preventing Frank
Baker from going to the New York
I Yankees, as the former slugging
thirdsacker of the MacSmen is re-
ported to have said at the banquet
Of the Delaware County League Sat
urday night.
1--WE said before, and mean il"
exclaims Connie, "that Pm done
with Baker, so far as l personally
am concerned. I have not seen
Baker, talked to him or had any
communications with him since the
middle Of last season, when he came
to me with an offer to play out
the season with the Athletics if
would tear up the present contract
have with him. I refused to do
this and that is why he played with
Upland last season instead of with
the Athletics"
Baker is reported as telling the Up
land fans that Connie Mack Is keeping
him from going to New York by re.
fusing to give him any part of the
purchase price.
Il don't want half of it," Baker is
credited with saying. but l think |
ought to get a share and unless | dc
won't sign either with New York or
Chicago, and will play with Upland
again this year. where have been
treated better than Connie Mack ever
treated me-"
Connie Mack says he's done with
Baker He says the slugger may be
sold some day, but that Baker will
never get cent OF the purchase price
IF it had not been for Bakers ac-
tons last year the Athletics would have
done much better" saws Connie. u
did not ask him to play. and I'll saw
this now, I don't want Baker at the
salary his contract calls for. could
handle him at what he got before he
boosted his salary on me, but he's not
worth It to me now; He signed a three
not play with any other club
Baker seems to think there are sew
erai CLUBS that want him. Maybe there
are, but I've never heard from them.
ofKer for Baker yet. and the one / did
receive from the White Sox couldn't
buy him, because it was not anything
like what I want for him"
Not until the New York meeting is
over will Manager Griffith send out his
orders to his players for 1916
II won't know which of my men are
Nto be traded or sold or released out
right until then" he explained today.
There's plenty of time, anyway II
] am successful in couple of direc-
will be seen in my club. I can't talk
about that at this early date. though"
Manager Griffith expects to leave for
New York week from today.
Barney Dreyfuss, who acted the part
OF the dove of peace" in December, is
splitting fire and birthstone now, re,
fusing absolutely to take over any Fed.
eral League contracts. In this attitude
he has company in Clark Griffith
Neither will admit that the Feds evel
existed.
Al Wickland and Rebel 0akes. two
outflelders with the Pittfeds last sea.
son, have been offered to Drcyfuss by
Ed Gwinner for nothing. All Gwlnnel
asks is that Barney take over these
players contracts. But Barney declined
with thanks. Dreyfuss is stronC for thc
principle Of the thing, for which ht
deserves much praise.
At least half a dozen minor league
clubs, which disbanded last year. have
laid plans to reoTganiZe this spring
With the sound Of the war trumpet
stilled, the minors will begin to lift VI
their heads once more.
Offering OOOOO for the worlds cham
plons Is something like Offering ter
bucks for a $1,000 motor car. The Rec
SoX finished first i'm the American
League. and then went out and WALTON
ed the Phillies. Boston is classed amonl
the best baseball cities i'm the country
the other two being New York anC
"A million for the Red Sox. The Giants
came in last I'm 1915 and were generally
a failure, but Harry Hampstead WoulC
not consider parting with his controlling
interest in the club for less than I
million, Page seems a bit out of hi
clement
Rudy Hulswltt has been named al
manager of the Columbus American AS
sociation team for 1916
Hal Chase. former peerless first
sackSs. has organized q semiprofes
siorShl team In san Jose. Cal, his home
town, and IS thus keeping i'm Condi
tion by playing Sunday games
Though the Cleveland Indians ar,
vet without any definite settlement a
their financial sffsirs, Manager lie,
Foh is going right ahead with hi
spring training trim plans. He vii
leave Cleveland on February 49, hound
all those pitchers and catchers whit
live in the Northern States Thos,
from other sections will 20 direct I,
49, Crescent City. Carter, Morton, Bag