The New York herald., 1921-03-06
RETURN OF BAKER
MORAL FACTOR IN
HELPING YANKEES
His Conscientious Playing
Is Expected to Offset Lack
of Youthful Dash.
AARON WARD AT SECOND
Huggins Is Face to Face With
Problem of Working Out
Best Combination.
AARON WARD AT SECOND
BY WILLIAM ID. HANNA.

ny WILLIAM ID. HANNA.
spccio, Despatch to THE NEw YORK HERALD.
SHREVEPORT La. March 5.-Manager
Higgins OF the Yankees is now face
to face with the problem-threatening
all winter-how to arrange his playing
forces with Frank Baker back in the
lineup so as to get the best combina-
tions. The Yankee boss will begin
with Baker at third, his old position,
and Aaron Ward moved from third to
second. That is the natural move 10
make and quite possibly may be the
final disposition of the case. Whether
IL Is or not depends a good deal on
Baker.
Baker was a first class third base
man when he stopped playing year
before last and still is first class
hitter. Physically he Is of the type
to wear long on the field, for he lives
cleanly and doesn't take on fat. But
Baker, though he may be good for
year or more longer. is veteran, and
his return to the club will not help 1t
in one very important respect--it will
not add to the buoyancy and abandon
and dash of youth, and youth is
tremendous factor when ability goes
with it.
If Baker were not the conscientious,
honest player he is-of the sort to work
whole heartedly for the best inter
ests of his club and manager-Hug-
gins would not have taken him back
The moral fibre of ball club is 30
per cent. OF it's strength. Baker brings
that quality, which is one reason Hug
gins welcomes him back. Being of
that type, he is more likely to retain
sufficient physical skill than he would
be otherwise.
Ward Expected to shine mt Second.
Huggins believes, and so do all of
his stan, that Aaron Ward will be a
fne second baseman. He is a irst class
third baseman and the Yankee direc-
| tors declare he will be fully as proficient
fielder at second. Earnest ball players
such as Baker and Ward the sort who
put their best into every effort and put
team success above Individual welfare
players of this species on each side of
| Peckinpaugh. give a strong combination
| of moral unselfsh strength to the club.
They make. too, quite as strong
combination In physical skill as the in
field had last year. with Ward at third
and Pratt at second. The batting or
| Pratt will be Offset by the return OF
/ Baker and the batting OF Roth VIII De
1 so much gain.
But the material factors of batting
| and fielding are not the only ones to
enter Huggins's mind In his numerous
| changes to build up the Yankee CLUB.
/ and he has built 1t up lot. He mas
rid his team of certain influences or
last year which. IL not an actual detri-
| ment to the success of his club, were, IN
his estimation, not in harmony with his
ideas and therefore NOT conducive to a
one e-for-all spirit essential TO success.
/ Huggins does not stand still any
more than does McGraw. He is con
stantly on the lookout for moves which
| will not only improve his CLUB, put
which will keep the interest or the rams
| whetted. The return OF Baker may nelp
him to bring about deal when VIII
give him certain men he would IKE 70
| have to strengthen certain spots. There
is no immediate likelihood OF such, put
n is something which may come up.
II depends on what other CLUBS ma OUT
later they are In need OF.
| Uuggins Is in a strong position IN
that he has the goods with which TO at
| tract other clubs. II Is easier TO make
trades when you have something the
other clubs want.
Fewstcr IN the OutaeId.
1t appears now as II Fewster's place
will be N the outfield IL he wins a.
regular place. Fewnter represents youth,
and the fire and elan OF young ploou
are intangible but mighty qualities in
an organization.
Youth accomplishes drives. dares. Ii
Is one Of the things in Robert Meusefs
favor. Here is fine bali player. an
unusually good hitter and not slow
man on the bases. He has the native
ability to become a great player. albeit
he Is a clumsy fielder. But with what
rare ability he has along certain lines
batting and throwing and by no means
moor base running. Il is largely mat
ter OF his attitude an ball player that
saws how far he shall rise.
Ambition. pepper, devotion to his
clubs interests. ways Tess easy going.
and ne can make much OF extensive IN
herent ability. He is an Interesting
study az a potential asset and as clay
for the mana gorial sculptor. lie may or
may not bo worth a lot TO the Yankee 5.
which Il shall be Il Il largely up ~ hil
10 say. He can hit. he is intelligent and
he has youth. Tor some men with the z
qualities the world is thoir oyster.
The claims OF FewSter 70 plhNt ~
the outficld are strong Tor two tc"sens +.
he has shown marked apiily out th9t
and therefore means defensive strength
and he has speed. The 1anks need
speed on tho bsEcs and with Roth
and Fewster In the lineup have mofa
OF IL. Even more DO they need mbre
defensive strength than they had last
year. and the places they need thcin
arc in the points and In the outficid.
Right now more depends on the quality
OF the clubs pitching and catching than
on any other one factor.
I