The Washington herald., 1921-01-23

lot some days and when HuggIns
was thought possible that the New
Nersation with the first sacker.
That HOIdout RumOr.
When Griffith was asked whether
Judge was a hold-out he replied;
NO more than usual. Most Of
them are talking about money at
this time of the year"
1t has been no secret that GrifHth-
and Mcbride were anxious to land
Baker But they are not willing to
shatter the backbone Of their team
to land the star who has been on
the retired list for a season. When I.
talk was heard that Huggins would /.
try to arrange a deal to bring Sam
Rice to Now York, Griffith declared T.
that he wouldn't trade Rice for
Ruth He repeated that remark last
night Now he is equally strong on
his stand that he won't part with /
Judge.
Though a man of Bakers ability is |
needed at the third cushion, the Ma
u"nal boss figures that between
Shanks and EIlerbe he can take care /
Of that position fairly well If Baker
Is beyond his reach.
II Judge is really holding out. a.
reported, the announcement that |
New York is anxious for his services /.
may serve to make him all the more .
abdurate
Judge n Capable Man.
An idea OF how Judge is valued |.
around the circuit can be gathered
from the offer that Higgins is will
ing to make for him Pipp is hard /
hitter, good fielder. though the Polo /.
Grounds fans soured on him last sea-
son. Baker should be one of the /.
best third -sackers in the league il
he has not lost his old cunning. In
addition Higgins appears to be |
ready to add another player or a /
pile Of cash.
With the exception of SisIer. |
Judge is rated as the best first |.
station guardian in baseball. and is |
mighty popular with Washington .
fans.
There promise to be some inter-
esting developments in regard to
the proposed trade before many |
days have elapsed. Higgins. who is
now in the South. expects to visit
Baker at his home in Maryland this
week and also come to see President
Grif1th here. That interview should
settle the question once and for all.
There were reports at the end OF
last season that Judge was dissat-
isfed with the climate in Washing
ton and desired to make a change.
though they were not taken Sc
riously.
NEW YORK. Jan. 22.-The almost |
certain return Of Home Run" Baker
TO major league baseball after an
absence OF a year from the big show,
opens the way for another
trade which is consummated would
further strengthen the Yankees and
boost their pennant stock to a con-
siderable degree.
In an interview with a Baltimore
newspaper correspondent at the
famous sIugEers' home in Trappe,
Nd. Baker declared he will report
IN the Yanks at Shreveport when
the spring training season opens
unless other arrangements are
made for him"
This is taken to mean that Baker
has expectations of being traded to
another club and it is known that,
in this event, he prefers to be
shifted to the Washington team. in
order that he may be in a position
to visit his home frequently. Mil
Ter HuCgins, manager Of the Yam
KEGS. who is now spending a vaca-
tion at Dover Hall. Ca. is expected
to drop OF at Tampa on his way to
this city this week to discuss terms
with Baker.
Huggins will also visit President
Clark Griffith and Manager Mcbride
Of the Washington club on his way
!, |
Wednesday or Thursday the midget
manager ought to be in a position
10 announce his third trade since the
last baseball season closed.
The Senators are badly in need of
r good third baseman for the next
campaign, and both Grifith and Nc
Bride are anxious to secure the
services Of Baker. The leaders of
the Washington team are prepared.
to make any reasonable concessionsI
to obtain the Maryland mauIer. and
a trade is now in the making which
will bring Joe Judge, the Senator'S
hard hitting first baseman, to the
Yankees in exchange for Baker and
wally Pipp, with the possible addi-
tfon Of another New York player or
A cash consideration.
The acquisition of Baker will add
considerable strength to the Sena-
tors infield. and the loss of sterling
Joe Judge will be partly offset by {
Pipp. who is still a youngster and a
first baseman of more than average
ability.
Huggins. up tC the present. has
hot flgured on using Pipp regularly S
the coming season and the manager !
Of the local club recently declared :
that he will station Bob MeuseI at
first base. With tnis in view Hug J
gins has been angling for another l
outtielder who can hold down a reg S
uIar berth with Babe Ruth and {
Bobby Roth as the other guardians {
Of the outer works.
Higgins and Pipp did not get |
along very well together during the ]
last pennant race and IL is said that s
the latter would welcome the :
change. Moreover, Huggins has not '
been particularly pleased with the &
wOrk of Pipp at first base and is I
prepared to use the former Catho-
lie University star in a trade Evil
IDENTIFY Huggins has abandoned the
idea of playing Meusel at first base
and the acquisition of Jndge will
mean the Eanky Bob will remain