Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-22
EXPECTS BEST YEAR
Frank Baker Visits Gotham
Chock-FuII Of Confidence.
INTENDS TO TRAIN HARD
Meets Magnate Rupert by Request,
and Measures Up to His
Expectations.
INTENDS TO TRAIN HARD

NEW YORK, February "a. Frank
lin Baker, hitter extraordinary of Con-
ME Mack's observation-disclosures d-dol-
lar infleld those Ave years the Athletics
were hogging American League pen
nants. Is real enthusiast over the
prospects Of the Yankees for the COM
ing season. Baker came to town yes
terday at the solicitation Of Col. Jacob
Rupert, president of the New York
Americans. The colonel explained that
he was very anxious to see the third
baseman. for whom he and Capt Hus-
ton paid a small fortune a few days
ago.
In the opinion Of Col. Rupert the
home run king measured up to expecta-
tons. He found a quiet, unassuming,
but confident base ball player not yet
turned thirty. who was very positive in
his belief that the brightest part of
his base ball career was in prospect
The visitor from Trappe, Md, was a
well tanned, husky, two-handed fellow
who said something every time he
talked.
'I aim to make 1916 my best base ball
year 30 far" said Baker to a group of
newspaper men. There is no reason
why I should not be as good as If not
better than In 1914.
ITO begin with, I am in better physi-
cal condition now than I ever was at
this time of the year. I am only eight
pounds heavier than when at my best
playing weight. A fellow needs at
least that much excess to stand the
rfgors of hard training.
Says He Will Deliver.
"And I intend to train hard" Baker
continued. Il will start in tomorrow
when return to the farm. Mark my
word, will be as well prepared as any
Of the youngsters that go out with
the second squad. feel a great moral
responsibility. Messrs. Rupert and
a Inns.e1,i have gambled heavily on the
when quit the Athletics. To my mind
thought l would improve over past
the game: STILL. you see the position
IN which I am placed. That is all the
rore INCENTIVE for me to deliver. And
deliver l will il hard work counts"
Are your legs all right?" Baker was
asked. You know there was a report
Il at you suffered an injury last sum
as that so?" said Baker. "wel1, if
legs are y ali right: that will guar,
How much ball did you play last
summer" was asked.
Il played twenty-od games-twen-
+ !: nj I think i wasSSin the Della
nifty games altogether. No. didn't hit
over 400, as some reports have it.
hit Just .s7s and had eight home runs
IN , my Twenty-Five games. But I played
self that | haven't begun to go back.
Why should be slipping?' Baker
GO eon Hsn. d.. I'm only a kid compared
care OF myself. I am well constituted
ana should be pretty nearly as good as
Fever was Tor ten years to come.
Likes Polo Grounds.
Il cannot begin to tell you how
pleased am over the prospect of play
ing seventy-seven games at the Polo
Grounds. We ball players all prefer
New York. you know. It's the big time
Of the big leagues. Messrs. Rupert
and Huston have treated me most lib
orally. am absolutely satisfied with
best that is in me. and that I hope will
be better than my best record of the
past"
sBaker is Of the opinion that his new
team will be very much in the pennant
race all the way II the proper co-opera-
ton is shown.
Winning a pennant," said he, sis not
q question of two or three stars doing
their best. Every one on the club must
hight from start to finish. Our club
should be stronger than any Yankee
outfit OF the last ten years, but it will
face q tougher field than any pennant
winner faced during all that time. Cald-
well and Fisher are two Of the greatest
right-handed pitchers of the game.
Ball players tell me Lee Magee is a
corking player. I have no fear of fall
ing down. l never was so anxious for
the opening of the season. The time
cannot come too soon for me to get a
The home-run slugger has a natural
preference for third base, but is Willing
to play elsewhere II such a shift should
prove beneficial to the club
Il have played every position, even
to pitching and catching" said he.
though in the American League /
always served at third. I am sure.
though, that 1 could give a pretty fair
account of myself anywhere in the in
field or outheld.
Fritz Maisel is a grand little fellow.
a most valuable asset to any club be-
cause of his tremendous speed. I have
been told he is very anxious to go to
the outfield. With his speed and arm
and judgment Of mean foul balls, he
should be corking gardener"