Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-01

T1HERE were three outstanding features
i in the 1915 baseball season to local fans,
aside from the formulation of peace be-
tween the forces of organized ball and
the Federal League. Not being repre-
sented with team in the Federal League
Philadelphlans had only passing interest
in the baseball war.
A year ago, when the Athletics had
wonderful machine and the Phillies were
striving to construct one, the fans were
more or less on the anxious bench for
fear the independent league would steal
some of the valuable members OF either
team, but shortly after 1915 had been
ushered in 1t became apparent that the
Feds had ceased to play an important
part in the national game as far as Phil
adelphia was concerned. Therefore the
peace parley is secondary in importance.
The winning of the first National
League pennant by the Phillies, after
80 years competition. was one of three
important features and which was cele-
brated In n fitting manner, despite the
subsequent defeat in the worlds series
at the hands of the Red Sox.
There can be but one winner of
worlds series and this winner is often
determined by the breaks of the game.
The breaks unquestionably went to the
Red Sox, and the Phillies we're clearly
off form. The defeat, however, cannot
dim the brilliance of the winning of the
pennant
Mack Wrecker
Connie Mack's unprecedented action in
completely wrecking championship ball
team was the second great event of the
year. while the retirement of Frank
Baker was the third The latter is but
one small cog in the great machine of
baseball, but the time and circumstances
surrounding the retirement of the famous
slugger gave the affair nationwide pub
licity, and as the new year comes in
Baker is still in the limelight.
Years ago Bill Lange, an outfielder of
the Chicago club In the days when there
was but one league, the National, quit
the game when at the height of his career
Lange was considered the greatest all
round player in the game at the time and
the fans were shocked at the announce
ment that the giant had quit because of
salary difference with Jim Hart owner
of the team, but before July rolled round
Lange was forgotten. His name had
scarcely been mentioned since until Baker
announced that he was through with the
game.
Baker Retires
Baker was apparently sincere when he
announced his retirement, but either the
ducements caused him to change his mind
shortly after the championship season
started, and he played with Upland The
peculiar stand Baker took In this matter
is believed to have been the real cause of
Macks sudden decision to break up the
greatest ball team ever constructed
The peerless Eddie Collins was sold to
the White SoX in the early part of the
year. but this deal was arranged and made
public before 1915 was under way. This
is generally looked upon as Mack's first
stroke In breaking up his wonderful team.
but 1t is certain Mack had no such in
tention. even after he had released Eddie
Plank, Jack Coombs and CHIEF Bender.
Collins was allowed to depart because
the White Sox offered so much money
that Mack could not afford to turn down
the proposition He also felt that Lajoie
could fill the bill acceptably and that his
young pitchers would replace the veter-
ans, Plank and Bender. Coombs not hav-
ing been actively engaged with the Mack
men In the winning of the 1913 and 1914
pennants.
Mack was sure he could spare these