The Washington times., 1921-02-28

Last spring Colonel Houston, In his
efforts to bring Baker into line and
play third base for the New York club,
offered to provide special care for his
notherless children in the metropolis.
That plan would have permitted
Bakers being with them half the sea-
son and knowing at all times while
travelling with the club that they
were in good hands. Nevertheless,
Baker declined TO play ball last sea-
son. He remained at home.
Mrs. Baker died last winter. leav-
ing two young children. Frank Baker
Immediately decided that no outsider
was capable of caring for them and
that he would look after them him
self. He has been doing this ever
since. He has said that, " he were
playing with the Washington club,
he could go home every night while
tho Griffs were here, thus doing his
duty. Nothing to the contrary has
ever been heard.
1t will be noted that before con
ference was held by the two colonels
in New York, no statement was is
sued. and that, after Ed Barrow, the
clubs business manager, had talked
with his bosses, he Joined the chorus.
Can II be that Clark Griffith insisted
on having the Yankees sign Baker
before the deal would be consum-
mated?
GRIFFMEN BEGIN WORK.
Today at Tampa, Fla. the first
squad OF the Griffmen begin work un-
der the watchful eyes of both Presi-
dent Griffith and Manager Mcbride.
For the first week only the lightest
sort OF work will be on the program.
The pitchers must warm up daily, en-
gage in the back-breaking bunting
game, and run around the park Thev
must acquire that temporary sore
ness in the fiipper and work 1T of be-
fore they will be OF any use to the
team.
Much tho same routine goes for the
other players now at the training
ramp with a difference that the out-
Nelders will have plenty OF oppor-
xunty to chase long f.es hammered
Dc them by Uncle Nick Altrcck. In
fungo hitting Nick Is classic. He
Ian keep ten outfielders busy each anc
livery day. Nobody st the camp wroks
any harder than Unc.e Nick ard much
OF the success Of the team belongs
TO him.
Until the seconi squad OF players
scives at Tampa the training stunts
will be OF the most rudimentary char
Dcier. But when the whole team Is
on the job, che practice games will
begin, two being played daily. As
snon as the players have worked on
their winter sluggishncss and can
begin to play ike maior leaguers.
practice games will be played WIN
the Tampa team of the Florida State
League
WILL BArVi.Js PHILLIEs.
Manager McBride will devote most
of his early attention to the new play
ers because on March l6 they Will be
used in the first of q three-game
series against the Phil,ies at Gaines
Vile, Fla The veterans will not be
required to face the National Leaguers
until they are in good shape II at all.
When the seven-game series opens
At Jackson, Tenn, with the New York
Giants, however. the regulars will be
in the game They vii stay in the
lineup, too, right up to the opening
OF the regular campaign. Z: is the in
tention of the Washington leaders to
have the team in condition to make
a flying start in the pennant race.
Nothing has been heard from the
squad at Hot Springs, Ark. They are
all seasoned veterans though, and
each knows what to do to condition
himself. Duffy Lewis has been train
ing at the Springs with the Boston
club for more than ten years, while
Walter johnson has spent weeks there
more than once 1t is to be expected
that the half dozen lads at the Springs
will be found in perfect physical con-
dition when they begin working at
Tampa