The Washington herald., 1921-02-28

II Frank O'Rourke delivers the
goods at short the Nationals Will
have a formidable machine in the
field. Last year they loked like
certain bet for the FIRST division un-
til = series Of hard-luck incidents
disrupted the team. Judging from
their preseason strength, the. out
look Is far more promising now.
The purchase of Baker indicates
that President Griffith wasn't talk
ing through his hat when he deliv-
cred himself of certain remarks at
the recent baseball banquet
Il am going to back Mcbride to
the limit" he said at that time In
emphatic fashion. 'and when he
wants a ball player I'm going to get
that player II money can buy him.
On the heels of this declaration
he breaks all records for Washing
ton by shelling out $4,000 for the
Yankee star. 1t seems apparent
that IL Mcbride failss to put his team
In the running it won't be the fault
OF the owner. The highest price
/. eyer paid for a player by the Ma
tionals heretofore was that of s15,-
900 for Turkey Brewer last year.
Open Competition Closed.
With the landing of Baker the
open competition" program around
third base appears to be closed.
Shanks will probably go back to
his utility role, and Ellerbe seems
to be fsted to understudy to Baker.
The other young outfielders are go
ing to have hard shedding, but it
will be necessary for Griffith to
carry another infeld performer or
Nwrr- Il
hasn't forgotten how Ellerbe, Shan
non and O'Neill all were out with
injuries at the same time last year.
Before Baker joins the Mats in
Tampa his name will have to be
secured to a contract. a job that
will probably be delegated to Eddie
Eynon- He may cause a little trou-
BILE before a salary agreement is
reached. but there Is little doubt
that he will be landed in short
order.
Washington had a hard hitting
bunch last year. but this season
they will probably pack more dyna-
mite at the bat. How'd you like to
be q pitcher and face a string of
sluggers like Judge, Milan. Rice,
Baker, O,Rourke, Lewis and Harris?
Judging from past dope, Lewis Is
the only member of that crew who
won't be hitting above 800. And
then there is always Turkey Brewer
as a pinch hitter. Pleasant thought,
Is 1t not?
Baker Has Great Record.
! Baker, who is IS years old. will
sr upon his eleventh year in the
iors this season During his ten
srs of service he has maintained
batting average of well over 400.
tonly four years he failed to reach
at select mark His lowest aver
age for a season was when he hit
.7ss with New York In 1916 after
he had come back to the big tent
after a year of semipro ball in
Upland. Nd. His highest mark was
that of -347 with the Macks in 1912.
when the white Elephants were at
the heighth of their glory.
Griniths decision to buy Baker
came only after efforts to cook up
. trade with Miller Higgins failed.
The New York leader would only
consider the real stars on the local
team and Grifith stoutly refused to
put them an the auction block.
Finding himself blocked there, he
made repeated offers for the yam
kee slugger and not until the $50, 900
mark was reached did Huggins ca
pitulate. 1t loks like a small for
tune well tspent. Baker ought to
draw vel, over that amount at the
gates In his first year. In addition
he increases the strength of the
team at its weakest spot.
Here's His Record.
Baker, who was born in Trappe.
Nd. on March IL, 1886, stands
feet IL inches in height and weighs
$50 pounds when in condition. Al
though he is right-hand thrower,
he wings from the port side at the
bat -,.N-.
In the years of 1866 he PLAYED
semipro baseball with the RIDGE
field. Nd. team. Baltimore, then In
the Eastern League, signed him for
I1tryout in 1907. Failing to make
rood he finished the season with a
remfpro club operating in Cam
l5rfdge. Nd
! Reading, Pa, Of the Tri State
League. next gave Baker a trial.
This was in 1908. He made good
from the start. playing the difficult
corner, q position he occupied
Na4 016aO Ms CulhC CdEceT.
Connie Mack. the PHILADELPHIA
leader, purchased Baker from the
club for his Athletics In
19os- He played with the White
Elephants until 1915. Mack and
Baker could not come to terms in !
1915 whereupon Baker jumped the
League and signed to
play outlaw baseball with the Up
land. Nd. team.
The Yankees assumed the Phila-
delphia contract IN 1916 and made |
an OFFER to Baker which proved ac-
ceptable. 1t Is said that s25,000
was paid by the New York team
for the swatter. He played with |
the Yanks four years, staying
through the, 1913 season. Because /
of family bereavement he was un-