New-York tribune., 1920-01-28

Baker will decide not to return to
ness pressure.
Manager Miller Huggins returned tod
New York yesterday from a trip to
Baltimore and Trappe, Md. where he
saw "Chick" Fewster and Baker. and
concerning the case Of the veteran
third baseman he has this to say:
No Question of Salary
Baker would give me no definite de-
cision as to whether or not he would
play professional ball this year. He
did tell me that if he made up his
mind to continue in the sport he would
consult with me first Of ALL. Bakers
attitude is due not to the question of
salary-on that score we never had any
trouble-but pressure Of business.
frank as you probably know, has
an extensive and profitable farm in
Trappe. Moreover, he is interested In
a bank in the town, which demands
much of his time Also, he does not
care for the constant travel and hustle
entailed in baseball. Consequently, to
play ball now means big sacrifice for
him. He loves the game, and would
bs only too glad to don the uniform
his family and business first consid-
Grafton.
Baker Is not fellow given to I'M
necessary statements for purposes Of
publicity. To the contrary, he abhors
that sort of thing and would have
readily given me a definite statement if
4 1. : l.,
time. Last year, when he announced he
was through, we persuaded him to- play
for another year at least, pointing out
20 him that his acceptance was really
due to the New York owners, who had
spent SO much to produce winning
nine.
Baker finally saw the matter In the
same light and consented to play one
more season. But even at that time he
declared that 1919 would be his last
year in the big leagues.
"That is all | can say about Baker
at the present time concluded the
midget manager, "and | am going to
lay my plans accordingly. Naturally,
we hope that Frank will be with us
again, but if he isn't we shall have to
find some one to fill his place.
Dislikes Term "Hold Out"
From the foregoing, the opinion pre-
walls that Baker will decide to stick
by his farm this year. AS Manager
Higgins states, Baker dislikes extreme
ly to give the impression that he is a
hold out, which he is in the real sense
of the word, but, having performed
last year, the former Mackman will
probably feel that he has done his duty
as far as the Yanks and baseball are
concerned.
In case Of his retirement, young
"Chick" Fewster, the snappy, capable
utility player of the Yanks, will be
groomed for third base. And there are
many who feel that Fewster would
make the fans soon forget about Baker.
Fewster is not as heavy hitter as
Baker, but he is a timely sticker, and
In the matter of fielding and base run
ming he probably is Bakers superior.
We're Fewster to play the infeld reg
ularly, there are many who feel that
he would be one of the best.
The shifting of Fewster to third base
would mean that Higgins would have
to get another outtielder, unless Wick
should come through in better form.
1t is said that Higgins was planning
TO use Fewster in center field, with
Ruth and Lewis on the wings. Huggins
is still dickering for players, but with
little success. He says that the other
clubs are willing to trade their ball
players, or rather some Of them, for
half of the Yankee team.
The announcement that Johnny Tobin,
the feet outtielder of the St. Louis
Browns, would be traded to the Yankees
has brought loud outlaws, and has been
the cause Of much mirth among St.
Louis scribes. "Not q chance of Tobin
coming to New York" they scrbble
any more than there is Of Hornsby
going to the Giants. Which may or may
not be true.
Charles A. Stoneham, one Of the
owners Of tho Giants, left yesterday
Tor Cuba. He is going to his racetrack
10 relieve John McGraw, who will leave
Immediately for New York, thence to
the baseball meeting at Chicago next
month.
"Cuddy' Murphy, the star Dartmouth
athlete who was barred from further
participating in varsity athletics at the
Hanover institution for having played
professional football, may go with the
Red Sox this year. Murphy has con
ferred with Owner Harry Frazee abou,
the matter. The chubby fellow is
pitcher of first-rate caliber, who ha:
lots Of stuff" according to JEFF
Tesreau, the former Giant pitcher, VIII,
coached the Dartmouth nine last year