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 Trappe Far
mer's Signing With New
York Yankees.
BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

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 Mackmen is re-
ported to have said at the banquet
of the Delaware County League Sat
urday night.
"I've said before, and | mean it,"
exclaims Connie, chat Pm done
with Baker, so far as I 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
l 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 saving, but ! think
ought to get a share and unless | dc
] won't sign either with New York OF
Chicago. and will play with Upland
again this year, where I 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 a cent of the purchase price
"1f 1t had not been for Bakers &C.
tons last year the Athletics would have
did not ask him to play. and I'll say
this now, I don't want Baker at the
salary his contract calls for. ] could
handle him at what he got before he
hoosted his salary on me. but hos not
worth 1t to me now. He signed three
years contract with me. and he can.
not play with any other club
Baker seems to think there are sew
eral clubs that want him. Maybe there
are, but I've never heard from them
New York has never made mo a direct
ofer for Baker yet. and the one I did
receive from the White SoX couldn't
huT him because It wa. not anything
like what | want for him"
Not until the New York meeting is
over will Manager Griffith send out his
orders to his player for 1916
Il won't know which of my men are
TO be traded or sold or released out
right until then" he explained todaN -
'There's plenty Of time. anyway II
I am successful i'm n cOuple of direc.
a b. Ia r1iI I,I ,1,, RS
will be seen in my club. ! cant tal>
about that at this early date. though"
Manager Griffith expects to leave for
New York week from today.
Barney Dreyfuss, who acted the par
Of the "dove of peace" in December. is
splitting fire and birthstone now, re-
fusnC absolutely to take over any Fed
eral League contracts. In this attitude
he has company in Clark Griffith
Neither will admit that the Feds eve
existed.
Al WickIand and Rebel 0akes, tive
OutfielderS with the PittfCdS last seq,
son, have been offered to Drcyfuss by
Ed Gwinner for nothing. All Gwinne
nsks is that RarncN take over thesI
players contracts. But Barney declined
with thank" Dreyf fuss is stronc for tn,
principle Of the thing, for which h,
deserves much praise.
At least half a dozen minor lcacu,
clubs, which dishanded last wear. hay,
laid plans to reOrganile this spring
With tho sound of tn" war trumpe
stilled. the minors will begin to lift VI
their heads once more.
Offering s5O0,0nO for the worlds cham
pl0ns Is something like offering tel
bucks for $1,000 motor car. The Re,
SoX finished first in thc American
League. and then went out and walIOp
ed the Philics. Boston is classod amonj
the best baseball cities in the country
the other two being New York an,
million for the Rcd SoN. Tho Giant
came in last III 1918 and were general,
failure, but Harry Hampstead uoul,
not consider parting with his Controllinj
interest in the club for less than I
million. Page seems bit out of hi
clement.
Rudy IIuIswitt has been named a
manager of the Columbus American As
sociation team for 1915.
Hal Chase. former peerless FIRST
saCkG-. has OTganined semi-profes
siorSil team in san Jose, Cal, his hom
town and IS thus keeping in rondi
tior by PLAYING Sunday games.
Though the cleveland Indians al
vet without any definite settlement q
their financial affgi'S Manager I.e
FOhl is Goinc RIGHT ahead with hi
spring trainin" trim plans. he vii
leave Cleveland on February 70, houn
all those pitchers and catchcrs VIII
live in the Northern States. Thos
from other sections will so direct :
49, Crescent City carter, Morton, Bag