New-York tribune., 1919-03-16

Bakers WIRE, OF course, assures hlsG
presence with the Yankees for the
coming season. Acceptance of terms.
is the equivalent of signing a con-
tract in baseball law And Baker is
such a straightforward, honorable fell
low that there can be little doubt his
signed contract is already in the mails.
On his recent visit to Baker, Mana
ger Higgins was not definitely re-
pulsed. Baker did not say he would
not return to New York. He expressed
an opinion that his best business ad-
vantage lay in retirement from dia-
mond activities; he said if any avenue
presented itself for his return with
do all in his power to oblige Manager
Huggins and his employers, as he felt
himself under certain obligations after
the length to which Messrs. Rupert and
Huston had gone in securing him from
the Athletics.
Baker is Reluctant
When Messrs. Higgins and Huston
called upon Baker at his farm Friday
evening they found him in practically
the same frame of mind as that in
which Higgins had left him. They
readily appreciated the situation of
Baker, who is a great lover of his
home and who is building a new house,
having to move out Of his old home
stead, in which he was raised. Baker
pointed out that it would be utterly
impossible for him to drop his present
work and accompany the Yankees to
the spring training camp at Jackson
Vile. Fla. The New York magnates
readily consented to give j. Franklin
most reasonable leeway, and on this
proposition the respective interests
parted, Baker promising to return
definite answer after due reflection.
Within few hours he had made up
his mind to make one more pennant
toward helping the Yankees to their
realization of a first pennant.
Baker promised his employers that
he would hustle his business affairs to
happy issue as speedily as possible, SO
that he might join his club at the
earliest possible moment. He will try
to be available for service by the open
ing of the season, though, in case of
necessity, his days Of grace will not be
set by hard and fast rule. Baker is
one player who always keeps himself
in the best of physical condition. He
will be ready to mount the breach upon
the day of his return.
Player Shows Loyalty
In ms talk with Manager HugglnS
and Vice President Huston, Baker ex-
pressed his sense Of loyalty in the fol-
lowing terms:
"My probable return is prompted by
my deep sense of duty to the owners Of
the New York American League base
ball club, who have expended a great
deal of money for my release from the
Athletics, and who have as yet not
received due return for the investment
because of tough luck in the matter
of injuries to myself and other players
and the bad conditions surrounding
baseball in the seasons of 1917 and
1918. The consideration of money has
never entered into my calculations.
Because of the late world war the
business of professional baseball has
not been normal since I joined the
Yankees, and last year was particularly
trying to the promoters.
II feel l owe the game of baseball
a great deal, for it has done me great
deal of good physically, morally and
financially. 1t is because of my sense
of duty and devotion to the game that
felt it almost obligatory on my part
to return, as l appreciate the fact that
that oldtime stars would help effect
the comeback of the game. In helping