Evening journal., 1921-01-22
BAKER ON THE
ANXIOUS
Will Return to Baseball If
Baby Survives Pneu-
mOnia
IT HE STARTS 1T
WILL BE WITH YANKS

EASTON. Md. Jan. PA little 10
year-oid girl will prove a big factor
IN The 1922 baseball melodrama. Upon
the recovery OF Ottllie Baker. daugh-
ter OF Home Run Baker, depends
more than the country at large
knows or dreams. she may cause
team 10 march triumphantly through
liie American League race, inscribe
new records in the coming years an
hals or turn the tide OF a worlds
series.
II Ottilie reoovers. then the old-time
home-run king will Join the Yankees.
II not. Il is feared. baseball will lose
forever the great figure OF the home
run hitter. Frank Baker has declared
ms intention OF throwing down the
hoe and lifting his eyes once more TO
The diamond glOries that, in likeli-
hood, await him.
Frank yearns to hear again the ao-
clamation that falls TO the lot OF a
hero He is eager TO feel the thrill OF
the fold clamoring and hear the ap-
plause die away 10 a-Whisper as he
steps up 10 the plate, and he hopes
10 swing once more, as he has swung,
the pendulum OF a worlds series.
All OF Easton and Trappe and sur
rounding towns are concerned over
the recovery OF his little daughter,
who is suffering with double pneu-
mOnia. Physicians say she can be
nursed back TO life. Talbot county
does not know that the return OF the
hero into the game in which he has
done so well depends upon the child
who lies IN at home.
Frank Baker Is the same ruddy pic
ture OF health as when his name was
flashed up and down the land after a
certain homer OF Rube MarQuard sent
the stands into pandemonium back in
the worlds Series OF 1911 A ii-mile
night ride into EastOn over frozen
roads had whipped a bright glow
into his checks. Weifhing the same
appearing the same. with the same
fable yet earnest ways as years ago
he looked lt enough 10 take up his
bat and hew his way into baseball
history.
Baker. should his child recover
will return 10 the Yankees. 81 owe
hem allegiance for the white way
that they have treated me while
was with them"
Although Washington Is in urgent
NN|M NA MNMN1 nNMAAiANf NlAI Vic
are that Frank will not don the Sena-
Tors uniform New York would no
lci him go. Grith's overtures fall OF
deaf ears mp that way, says Baker.
What a cOnquering team the Yankee;
would be with two home-run king
on the New York nine, Baker the ole
and Ruth the newt No wonder ScOu
Joe Kelley. OF tire Yankees. approache,
Frank Baker last week TO sound hi
sentiment and TO catch the first ra,
of hope OF his return 10 the diamon'
game.
A little less than year ago Baker
wife died. TWO little children, Ottih
and Janice. 9 years old. were left q
his care. When the baseball curtail
was about TO rise the Gotham fan
missed Frank. The devotees OF N
game clamored for his return. NeV
York sought his signature, but IN
year came and went. while Baker re
mained on his farm at Trappe. q
week-ends he played ball with N
Upland Club. obtaining 500 for eac
iwo-day trip. Il IS said
Remnant Hopes Dimmed.
A little while before the end OF IN
ep0ch-making year the Yankees say
their pennant hopes dimmed. The
were fghtlng for breath with thei
backs against the wall. They needle
one more dependable hitter and
third haseman would could work q
only Frank Baker can. But woul
Frank come? He was approached
but he shook his head and turne
aside from the tempting offer and IN
possibility Of having his name rim
i'm the fall worlds series welkin.
At the beginning OF this year ~
tile. his favorite daughter. fel III. Sh
caught cold in an unheated schoo
room at Trappe. Il is said. Bake
his wife dead. was struck once MOI
hv misfortune He ever has bee
bound up with his family and u
Ties arc dear TO him. Oitilie san
low. Pneumonia dealt none q
lightly with her small form. \ ste
toward recovery. a relapse and doub
pneumonia set in. The crisis can
and passed. That was but recent
phvsicans hol dout hope and so do
Frank. One can tell that from q
bovish smile that forms a bac
ground for his sober face.
"If She recovers ! vii go 10 Shrev
mort with the Yankees on the
spring training trip are Frar
Bakers words.