The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1921-02-22

| American Legion pitchers assigned
| to slab work against the Yankees
this summer will have just cause for
pronounced cases of nerves
it looks very likely that Home-run
Baker will be batting third for the
New York team. with the mighty
| Ruth following, when the umpire
calls first play Ball" of the 1921
season.
The situation is this: Baker
wants to play baseball. The Yam
KEGS want him badly. No trouble is
anticipated over salary, for the Yam
KEGS have a mint of money behind
them, and the wise acquisition of
Ruth at record price simply showed
the wisdom of obtaining heavy hit
ters. for the crowds swarmed the
ball park to see him slug.
In Baker another player of the
hard hitting, extra-base pounding
type would be obtained. 1t would be
likely that Higgins would bat the
Trappe farmer third or possibly fifth
on his list, and if he followed Babe
he would be valuable in sending the
Bambino around, in case the Babes
swats were not productive of circuit
runs.
Joe Kelley, Yankee scout, and Ba-
ker met yesterday at the Hotel Rem
merit by appointment and trashed
over the entire matter. There was
no haggling about salary, and Baker
told Kelly that he wanted to play and
would give his final decision within
10 days. The only possible reason
that would hold him back in whether
he can meet his domestic obligations
properly and at the same time play
ball. His little daughter. who has
been i'll, is making a good recovery,
and it is thought nearly certain that
he will be able to arrange to play
Baseball fans like men who can
sting the horsehide and Baker would
exactly fit the bill. Frank led his
league three times for the highest
number of circuit bangs-and, until
Babe Ruth began to swing his wick
ed willow, was looked upon as the
greatest long-distance clouter in the
game. Ruth made former records
appear small in comparison, but Ba-
ker is no slouch when it comes to
landing on the ball and always has
hits.
If Baker plays third for the Yam
KEGS Meusel would go to first, where
he is equally at home. and Frank
would be back at the hot corner, the
position at which he starred on the
old Athletics of world series fame.
Earlier in the winter there was
some talk of Baker going to Wash
ington in a trade. so that he could
reach his home at Trappe frequently
after games were played at the cap
ital. This would be of no benefit to
Baker. for the distance prevents such
a plan being feasible. and it Is be-
lieved he would far rather play with
New York and possibly cut slice
from the worlds series of 1921,
Baker appears to be in splendid
physical condition and through -
stock build he comes naturally by 1T
and is not man who takes on much
weight. While not the most grace
full fielder in the world. and at times
inclined to fight the ball, he is far
above the average in this department
while his hitting, coupled with Ruth,
would make the Gothamites swing
the turnstiles to see the hitters in ac-
ton.
Regarding the chances of the Yam
KEGS to come through this year, Ba
ker is optimistic. ''It looks like a
real club" he said yesterday, land
l believe they have first-class
chance to be champions. 1 would
like playing under Higgins, and
want to play this year and will give
my final decision in 10 days"