The New York herald., 1921-02-28
YANKEE RECRUITS
BEGIN WORK TO-DAY
Both Col. Huston and Manager
Higgins Deny Sale of Home
Run Baker.
BY WILLIAM b. HANNA.

Special Despatch TO IKE New YORK HERALD.
ments Of various sizes the ball players
OF the Yankee club have been arriving
here to-day until by evening there were
fourteen, all youngsters and practically
all recruits who never nave been with
the New York club as regulars or other
wise. The nearest to veteran in the
ot is Alex Ferguson. the pitcher. who
made an excellent record with Jersey
City last year and who is to be tried by
the Yankees with Moore. This time he
is expected to stick, and II he does will
be big help to the defensive strength
Of Huggins's pennant hunting team
about to begin its training season.
Manager Huggins arrived himself this
afternoon, and together with Bob Con-
merry, the scout, will set the wheels in
motion tomorrow with practice for the
youngsters. This work will be the first
OF a months stay in Shreveport and the
real beginning OF the Yanks' training
season, though Ruth. Mays. Hoyt and
Harper have been at Hot Springs for a
week. They will be .here another week
and VIII report here then with the main
body of regulars.
The reported sale OF Franl. Baker TO
The Washington club for $4,000 by the
Yankees was the first point or which
Higgins was interroga sed, and the little
manager promptly denied that any such
transaction had taken place. He said
Griffith OF the Washington club had
made rush offer for Baker. but that
he (HuSgins) had vetoed it in disap-
proving OF such a move.
ENnActs RaEer PLAY
"It looks" said Higgins, who has
done so much toward building up the
Yankees to the present strong team they
are, "as II Baker would be with our
club this year. 1t may be that he will
yet be used in trade, but the New York
people were to see him this week and
find out just what is to be DONE"
The news that Aaron Ward had signed
made good reading for Higgins on the
train to-day. AS he hasn't been in New
York lately, coming here from Cincin-
natl. Huggins doesn't know just who has
signed and who hasn't, but it appears
that Bodie, Ward, Pipp. Mitchell, Roth,
Ruth, Mays, Hoyt and Harper have
signed. Meusel, Shawkey, Quinn. Few
ster and Peck apparently have not
unless some of them have done so and
the fact not announced by the Yankee
mysterious In such matters.
However, there Is no mystery about
the weather which threatens for to-
morrow when the Yanks un.imber for
the first time this season. Billy Smith,
manager of the local club, says the
park is ready IL the Yankees are.
Charles McManus, Mark Roth. AL Woods
and Phil Schenk brought in consign-
ment of young talent late this evening.
and these with those arriving earlier,
make the following players who are on
hand:
Sid Agnew, outflelder, with the In
dustrial League last Jear John Clifford.
pitcher, with Rochester last year: Jess
Doyle. pitcher. from Greenville of the
South Atlantic League; Alexander
Ferguson. pitcher. last year with Jer-
sey City: Charles Gault, catcher. Phila-
delphia semi-pro: Sam Godfrey. pitcher,
New York semi-pro. last year with
Tesreau's Bears; Edgar NJ. Leopard.
pitcher, New York se-ni-pro Joe Mum
son, Carolina State League. outfielder; ;
Earl Johnson, Georgia State League,
pitcher Eugene Gramley, pitcher. from
Penn State College: y. A. Mcmillan.
South Atlantic League, inielde err: Tom
Sheehan, Southern League, pitcher. from
Atlanta; A. II. Wingo. Atlanta, out
uclucT, al DCNOiHlti, CdtShct, liotH
Vernon of the Pacific Coast League !;
Edwin Grassick, New Jersey scmi-pro,
catcher-flfteen in all Devormer. the
likeliest candidate In the field for the
job of reserve catcher for the Yankees
Is big. outstanding chap whose name
does not appear on the clubs spring list
of timber. He came this morning from
Grand Rapids, his home. and is a coast
product.
Just at present, so far as known
quantity is concerned. Huggins's catchers
consist of Fred Hofmann and Devor-
mer. Schang is still unsigned but that
he will como to terms Is regarded as
merely a matter OF time and not long
time. IT expect to give Hofmann n
good deal of work this year." said
Higgins. "and I imagine we shall be
all right In that department. though
there may be another catcher on the
club by the time the season opens"
Poll Perritt Of the Giants. who lives
here. dropped around the hotel for a
visit. Poll had touch OF diphtheria
while back, but seems At now for