View source for Dave Bancroft

{{short description|American baseball player and manager (1891-1972)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Dave Bancroft
|image=1915 Dave Bancroft.jpeg
|caption=Bancroft with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1915
|position=[[Shortstop]] / [[Manager (baseball)|Manager]]
|birth_date={{birth date|1891|4|20}}
|birth_place=[[Sioux City, Iowa]], U.S.
|death_date={{Death date and age|1972|10|9|1891|4|20}}
|death_place=[[Superior, Wisconsin]], U.S.
|bats=Switch
|throws=Right
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=April 14
|debutyear=1915
|debutteam=Philadelphia Phillies
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=May 31
|finalyear=1930
|finalteam=New York Giants
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.279
|stat2label=[[Hit (baseball)|Hits]]
|stat2value=2,004
|stat3label=[[Home run]]s
|stat3value=32
|stat4label=[[Runs batted in]]
|stat4value=591
|stat5label=Managerial record
|stat5value=249–363
|stat6label=Winning %
|stat6value=.406
|teams=
'''As player'''
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|1915}}–{{mlby|1920}})
* [[New York Giants (NL)|New York Giants]] ({{mlby|1920}}–{{mlby|1923}})
* [[Boston Braves (baseball)|Boston Braves]] ({{mlby|1924}}–{{mlby|1927}})
* [[Brooklyn Robins]] ({{mlby|1928}}–{{mlby|1929}})
* [[New York Giants (NL)|New York Giants]] ({{mlby|1930}})
'''As manager'''
* [[Boston Braves (baseball)|Boston Braves]] ({{mlby|1924}}–{{mlby|1927}})
|highlights=
* 2× [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1921}}, {{wsy|1922}})
|hoflink = National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
|hoftype = National
|hofdate = [[1971 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|1971]]
|hofmethod = Veterans Committee
}}
'''David James Bancroft''' (April 20, 1891 – October 9, 1972) was an American professional [[baseball]] [[shortstop]] and [[Manager (baseball)|manager]].  He played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[Philadelphia Phillies]], [[New York Giants (NL)|New York Giants]], [[Boston Braves (baseball)|Boston Braves]] and the [[Brooklyn Robins]] between 1915 and 1930.

Born in [[Sioux City, Iowa]], Bancroft played in [[minor league baseball]] from 1909 through 1914, at which point he was bought by the Phillies. The Giants traded for Bancroft during the 1920 season. After playing for the Giants through the 1923 season, he became [[player-manager]] of the Braves, serving in that role for four years. After he was fired by the Braves, Bancroft played two seasons for the Robins and ended his playing career with the Giants the next season. He coached with the Giants, then managed in the minor leagues and the [[All-American Girls Professional Baseball League]].

Bancroft was part of the Giants' [[World Series]] championship teams in [[1921 World Series|1921]] and [[1922 World Series|1922]]. He was also a part of the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] [[List of National League pennant winners|pennant-winning]] teams of 1915 and 1923. Considered an excellent defensive shortstop and a smart ball player, Bancroft was elected to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame]] by the [[Veterans Committee]] in 1971. His election was not without controversy as the Committee included former teammates of Bancroft, resulting in charges of cronyism.

==Early life==
Bancroft was born on April 20, 1891, in [[Sioux City, Iowa]], the youngest of three children of Ella ([[Name at birth|née]] Gearhart) and Frank Bancroft. Frank worked as a news vendor on the [[Milwaukee Railroad]].<ref name=sabr>{{cite web|first=Trey|last=Strecker |url=http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/8822919c |title=Dave Bancroft |publisher=[[Society for American Baseball Research]]|access-date=April 27, 2012}}</ref><ref name=desmoines>{{cite news|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/19540328/SPORTS11/50623012/Dave-Bancroft-Sioux-City-1954 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121120231/http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/19540328/SPORTS11/50623012/Dave-Bancroft-Sioux-City-1954 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |title=Dave Bancroft, Sioux City |first=Bert |last=McGrane |newspaper=The Des Moines Register |date=March 28, 1954 |access-date=October 10, 2012 }}</ref> Bancroft attended Hopkins Grade School and Sioux City High School.<ref name=sabr/>

==Career==

===Early career===
In the summer after his junior year of high school, at the age of 18, Bancroft began his professional career in 1909 with the [[Duluth White Sox]] of the Class-D [[Minnesota–Wisconsin League]]. Bancroft did not have immediate success, registering a .210 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] and .917 [[fielding percentage]] in 111 games, but he developed a positive reputation in the league.<ref name=desmoines/> The [[Superior Blues]] acquired Bancroft at midseason, and he remained there through the 1911 season.<ref name=sabr/><ref name="bancroft leaves giants">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o0UxAAAAIBAJ&pg=5316,6443177&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Dave Bancroft Leaves Giants|newspaper=[[The Milwaukee Journal]]|location=Milwaukee, [[Wisconsin]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|page=2|date=June 4, 1932|access-date=June 19, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Bancroft finished the 1911 season with a .273 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] and 41 [[stolen base]]s,<ref name=sabr/> and the Blues won the league championship.<ref name=phillies1916/>

The [[Portland Beavers]] of the Class-AA [[Pacific Coast League]] (PCL) drafted Bancroft from Superior for the 1912 season.<ref name=sabr/> He struggled in 1912, batting .207, and was demoted to the [[Portland Colts]] of the Class-B [[Northwestern League]] in 1913. After batting .244 for the Colts, he was promoted back to the Beavers in 1914, where he batted .271 and drew comparisons to former Beavers star shortstop [[Roger Peckinpaugh]] as the team won the PCL championship.<ref name=sabr/> While with the Beavers, Bancroft earned the nickname "Beauty", for his habit of referring to pitches as "beauties" while he batted.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PMdOAAAAIBAJ&pg=6859,3059354&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Dave Bancroft Acclaimed As Latest "Miracle Man"|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|page=9|date=September 23, 1925|access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref>

===Major League Baseball===

====Philadelphia Phillies====
Before the 1915 season, the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] purchased Bancroft from Portland for $5,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|5000|1915}}}} in current dollar terms). Portland's manager was quoted as saying he did not expect Bancroft would last with the Phillies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OIcLAAAAIBAJ&pg=6417,5443276&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en |title=Phils Got Dave Bancroft In Exchange For Nothing: Shortstop Was Traded by Portland, Ore., for a Pair of Players Who Didn't Make Good|page=5|newspaper=[[Evening Independent]]|location=St. Petersburg, Florida|date=July 12, 1915|access-date=June 19, 2012}}</ref> In his rookie season, Bancroft finished second in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL) to teammate [[Gavvy Cravath]] in [[base on balls|walks]] (77), third in [[runs scored]] (85), and tied [[Fred Luderus]] for sixth in [[home run]]s (7).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1915-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1915 National League Batting Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 29, 2012}}</ref> For his ability to hit with power from both sides of the plate, ''[[The Pittsburgh Press]]'' declared he was developing into "a second [[Honus Wagner]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eBkhAAAAIBAJ&pg=4061,3950324&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Little Bits of Baseball|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|page=12|date=July 17, 1915|access-date=July 7, 2012}}</ref> The Phillies won their first NL [[List of National League pennant winners|pennant]] in 1915,<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4p8LAAAAIBAJ&pg=5559,1954212&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en |title=Bill Killifer and Bancroft Receive Appreciation From New York|newspaper=Evening Independent|page=5|location=St. Petersburg, Florida|date=September 14, 1915|access-date=June 19, 2012}}</ref> but lost the [[1915 World Series]] to the [[Boston Red Sox]]. Bancroft's offense contributed to the Phillies' victory in Game 1, as he had an [[infield hit]] leading to the Phillies' winning run.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/10/09/archives/phillies-triumph-in-first-game-31-lucky-breaks-on-muddy-infield.html |title=Phillies Triumph in First Game, 3–1&nbsp;– Lucky "Breaks" on Muddy Infield Brings Victory to the National Leaguers. Alexander Below Form: Unsteadiness Most of the Time Keeps Him in Trouble and His Work Surprises Fans. Shore Allows Five Hits: Phillies Win in Eighth, When Scott Is Off Base on Barry's Attempt to Make Double Play. Phillies Triumph In The First Game|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 9, 1915 |access-date=July 8, 2012}}</ref> Though the Phillies batted .182 as a team in the series, Bancroft batted .294.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1915_WS.shtml |title=1915 World Series&nbsp;— Boston Red Sox over Philadelphia Phillies (4–1) |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 8, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Dave Bancroft (1916 baseball card).jpg|left|170px|upright|thumb|Bancroft's 1916 baseball card|alt=A sepia-toned baseball card of a player swinging his bat at a pitch.]]
Bancroft batted third in the Phillies' lineup in 1916.<ref name=phillies1916>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5JILAAAAIBAJ&pg=3387,2077844&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Phillies All Working Together In Effort To Land Two Pennants|first=William G.|last=Weart|page=10|newspaper=The Evening Independent|date=March 13, 1916|access-date=July 11, 2012}}</ref> However, he slumped to a .212 batting average that season, the lowest of his career. Despite his offensive struggles, he gained recognition for his fielding skills, and an injury to Bancroft late in the season contributed to the Phillies' poor play late in the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tuwbAAAAIBAJ&pg=3165,1443205&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=No Investigation To Be Made Of Charges By M'Graw: Giant Leader Angry|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|page=28|date=October 4, 1916|access-date=July 11, 2012}}</ref><ref name=speed>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VP0gAAAAIBAJ&pg=4829,3169660&dq=dave-bancroft+phillies&hl=en|title=Bancroft's One of Season's Fastest|newspaper=The Day|date=November 30, 1916|access-date=July 11, 2012}}</ref>

Bancroft feuded with Cravath, who became the Phillies' manager in 1919.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=11BbAAAAIBAJ&pg=3460,1939063&dq=dave-bancroft+phillies&hl=en|newspaper=Providence News|title=Bancroft Quietly Traded To Giants|page=13|date=June 8, 1920|access-date=July 11, 2012}}</ref> Before the 1919 season, Bancroft requested a trade to the [[Cincinnati Reds]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hsgaAAAAIBAJ&pg=3214,5012183&dq=dave-bancroft+phillies&hl=en|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|title=Phillies Almost Intact|first=Ralph|last=Davis|date=March 27, 1919|page=36|access-date=July 11, 2012}}</ref> but the trade request was not granted. [[John McGraw]], manager of the [[History of the New York Giants (NL)|New York Giants]], coveted Bancroft due to his intelligent and hard-nosed style of playing. Upon McGraw's urging, the Giants traded [[Art Fletcher]], [[Bill Hubbell]] and $100,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|100000|1920}}}} in current dollar terms) to the Phillies for Bancroft on June 7, 1920.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1920/06/08/archives/fletcher-traded-for-dave-bancroft-mcgraw-gives-veteran-infielder.html |title=Fletcher Traded For Dave Bancroft&nbsp;— McGraw Gives Veteran Infielder for Younger Star of the Philadelphia Club|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 8, 1920|access-date=April 27, 2012}}</ref>

====New York Giants====
With the Giants, Bancroft was an able performer.<ref name=Missourian>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=viYrAAAAIBAJ&pg=4861,5050129&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Bancroft, Frisch and Nehf Star With The Giants|newspaper=The Southeast Missourian|page=2|date=July 18, 1922|access-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref> His 102 runs scored during the 1920 season were second only to new Giants teammate [[George Burns (outfielder)|George Burns]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1920-batting-leaders.shtml|title=1920 National League Batting Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 18, 2012}}</ref> On June 1, 1921, in a game the Giants won against the Phillies, Bancroft [[hitting for the cycle|hit for the cycle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/rare_feats/index.jsp?feature=hit_for_cycle|title=Rare Feats: Players who have hit for the cycle|work=MLB.com|access-date=October 10, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1921/B06012NY11921.htm|title=New York Giants 8, Philadelphia Phillies 3 (2)|date=June 1, 1921|work=Retrosheet.org|publisher=Retrosheet, Inc|access-date=September 6, 2011}}</ref> His 153 games played in the 1921 season tied for second in the NL with several others, behind only [[Rogers Hornsby]]. He also tied teammate [[Frankie Frisch]] for second with 121 runs scored, behind only Hornsby, while his 193&nbsp;hits were eighth-best and his .389&nbsp;[[on-base percentage]] was ninth-best in the NL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1921-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1921 National League Batting Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 29, 2012}}</ref> However, he only batted .152 in the [[1921 World Series]], which the Giants won over the [[New York Yankees]] in eight games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1921_WS.shtml |title=1921 World Series&nbsp;— New York Giants over New York Yankees (5–3) |work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=July 8, 2012}}</ref>

Bancroft played in all 156 games in the 1922 season. He tied [[Jack Smith (outfielder)|Jack Smith]] for third with 117 runs scored, finished third with 209 [[hit (baseball)|hits]], and tied [[Bob O'Farrell]] for second with 79 [[base on balls|walks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1922-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1922 National League Batting Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 29, 2012}}</ref> His .321 batting average was his career-high. He set an MLB record for the most fielding chances by a shortstop in a season (984).<ref name=obit/> Though the Giants swept the [[1922 World Series]] from the Yankees in four games, he again had a poor World Series, batting .211.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1922_WS.shtml |title=1922 World Series&nbsp;— New York Giants over New York Yankees (4–0) |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 8, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Dave Bancroft 1920.jpeg|thumb|180px|Bancroft in 1920]]
Serving as [[captain (sports)|team captain]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=h5s0AAAAIBAJ&pg=2105,2894081&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Dave Bancorft Signs; Says He Got Increase|newspaper=The Norwalk Hour|page=14|date=March 7, 1923|access-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref> Bancroft began to suffer through leg injuries in 1923.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qwVhAAAAIBAJ&pg=1155,258796|title=Travis Jackson Should Prove Good Utility Man For Giants In Series|page=13|newspaper=Providence News|date=September 28, 1923|access-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref> He was also hospitalized with a case of [[pneumonia]] during the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1923/07/21/archives/dave-bancroft-quits-hospital-in-boston-declares-he-will-rejoin.html |title=Dave Bancroft Quits Hospital in Boston&nbsp;— Declares He Will Rejoin Giants in Two Weeks&nbsp;— Physicians Say It Will Be a Month|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 21, 1923|access-date=April 27, 2012}} {{subscription required|date=April 2012}}</ref> Bancroft returned by the postseason, but batted .091 in the [[1923 World Series]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ihtlAAAAIBAJ&pg=5428,4806272&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Captain of Giants Sets Up Battling Average of .750; "Dave" Bancroft Swings Into Action and Routs Four Tire Thieves|page=1|newspaper=Edmonton Journal|date=October 20, 1923|access-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref> which the Yankees won in six games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1923_WS.shtml |title=1923 World Series&nbsp;— New York Yankees over New York Giants (4–2) |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 8, 2012}}</ref>

====Boston Braves====
With a young [[Travis Jackson]] ready to succeed Bancroft as the Giants' shortstop, and with Bancroft desiring an opportunity to manage, McGraw traded Bancroft to the [[History of the Boston Braves|Boston Braves]] with [[Bill Cunningham (outfielder)|Bill Cunningham]] and [[Casey Stengel]] for [[Joe Oeschger]] and [[Billy Southworth]] after the 1923 season.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OLggAAAAIBAJ&pg=2728,3614675&dq=travis-jackson+dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=McGraw Staging Biggest Gamble In Young Jackson: Filling Shoes Left By Classy Dave Bancroft With 20 Year Old Boy|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|page=6|date=November 22, 1923|access-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NyFQAAAAIBAJ&pg=7056,6733731&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Dave Bancroft To Manage Braves In 1924 Race; Stengel, Cunningham Also Go to Hub Team: Giants Get Pitcher Oeschger and Outfielder Southworth in Big deal Consummated on Sunday|newspaper=The Milwaukee Sentinel|date=November 13, 1923|page=10|access-date=June 28, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> McGraw was also looking to aid his former star [[Christy Mathewson]], who was then the [[General manager (baseball)|general manager]] of the Braves.<ref name=yarnell>{{Cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9MZXAAAAIBAJ&pg=4467,1843932&dq=dave-bancroft+youngest&hl=en|title=Dave Bancroft Is The Youngest Big League Manager In Business|first=George M.|last=Yarnell|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|page=23|date=January 11, 1924|access-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref>

Bancroft served as [[player–manager]] for the Braves for three seasons, from 1924 through 1927. Upon becoming manager, he became the youngest manager in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL).<ref name=sabr/><ref name=yarnell/> He missed time during the 1924 season with [[appendicitis]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4MpPAAAAIBAJ&pg=6160,6112872&dq=dave-bancroft+appendicitis&hl=en|title=Climbing Browns Fall Before Lowly Mackmen|date=August 8, 1924|page=14|newspaper=The Evening Independent|access-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref> After finishing in last place in the eight-team NL, Bancroft overhauled the Braves' roster for the 1925 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OKohAAAAIBAJ&pg=5666,4272004&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Braves Much Stronger With New Material: Dave Bancroft Thinks Club Has Real Chance|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Reading Eagle|page=30|date=March 20, 1925|access-date=July 18, 2012}}</ref> However, he lost the services of [[Rube Marquard]] and [[Joe Genewich]],<ref name=developing>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Xy8gAAAAIBAJ&pg=3399,2972701&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Bancroft Developing Team Of Brilliant Youngsters|newspaper=The Milwaukee Sentinel|page=4-3|date=February 14, 1926|access-date=July 18, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and the Braves finished in fifth place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BSN/1925.shtml|title=1925 Boston Braves Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=October 10, 2012}}</ref> Bancroft suggested that [[Bob Smith (1920s/30s pitcher)|Bob Smith]], ineffective as an infielder, become a pitcher; Smith's successes as a pitcher benefited the Braves' [[starting rotation]].<ref name=smith>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JQhFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1998,1006532&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Detroit Amateur Bouts Have Plenty of Action|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Ludington Daily News|page=8|date=January 28, 1926|access-date=July 18, 2012}}</ref> The Braves lacked offense going into the 1926 season,<ref name=defense>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XMVHAAAAIBAJ&pg=3641,4586251&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Braves Need More Batting Punch To Threaten Leaders: Dave Bancroft Says Club Is Strong On Defense, Great Box Corps|page=12|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Meriden Record|date=March 24, 1926|access-date=July 18, 2012}}</ref> but hoped their pitching and defense could lead them into contention.<ref name=smith/><ref name=defense/> The Braves finished in seventh place in the NL in 1926 and 1927.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BSN/1926.shtml|title=1926 Boston Braves Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=October 10, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BSN/1927.shtml|title=1927 Boston Braves Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=October 10, 2012}}</ref>

====Brooklyn Robins and return to the Giants====
Failing to turn the Braves into a winning team, Bancroft requested his release from the team after the 1927 season. He signed with the [[History of the Brooklyn Dodgers|Brooklyn Robins]] the same day.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FRhPAAAAIBAJ&pg=4906,4962685&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Dave Bancroft Is Given Release By Boston Club: Great Shortstop Will Play With Brooklyn During 1928 Campaign|agency=[[Associated Press]]|page=14|newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|date=October 15, 1927|access-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VqdQAAAAIBAJ&pg=6826,3928672&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Release of Bancroft No Surprise to Foster|first=John B.|last=Foster|page=2|newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal|date=October 15, 1927|access-date=June 28, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Stating that he was happy to no longer have the stress of managing,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mc1MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3728,2721714&dq=dave-bancroft+phillies&hl=en|title=Bancroft Happy as Mere Player, States|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Prescott Evening Courier|page=4|date=March 1, 1928|access-date=July 18, 2012}}</ref> he played for the Robins for the 1928 and 1929 seasons. During his time with the Robins, he was seen as a possible successor to manager [[Wilbert Robinson]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VGlgAAAAIBAJ&pg=3409,5488609&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en |title=Dave Bancroft in Line for Managership of Robins|newspaper=Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express|date=February 14, 1928|access-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref>

The Robins released Bancroft after the 1929 season, and he returned to the Giants as assistant manager and [[coach (baseball)|coach]], serving under McGraw.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TPQaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6395,4291766&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Dave Bancroft Assistant to McGraw Now|agency=United Press International|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|page=33|date=November 5, 1929|access-date=July 18, 2012}}</ref> He ended his MLB playing career in 1930. He remained as a coach, filling in for McGraw when he was too ill to manage.<ref name=sabr/><ref name="bancroft leaves giants"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fFgaAAAAIBAJ&pg=4744,3426435&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Cards Beat Giants, Bancroft Is Chased|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Milwaukee Sentinel|page=13|date=July 22, 1931|access-date=July 18, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> During the 1930 offseason, he led a team of MLB players on an exhibition trip to [[Cuba]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/1999547162.html?FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+04%2C+1930&author=&pub=Daily+Boston+Globe+%281928-1960%29&desc=BANCROFT+LEADS+TEAM+TO+CUBA+FOR+10-DAY+TRIP&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719034401/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/1999547162.html?FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+04,+1930&author=&pub=Daily+Boston+Globe+(1928-1960)&desc=BANCROFT+LEADS+TEAM+TO+CUBA+FOR+10-DAY+TRIP&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |title=Bancroft Leads Team to Cuba For 10-Day Trip |newspaper=[[Daily Boston Globe]]|page=8|date=October 4, 1930 |access-date=April 27, 2012}} {{subscription required|date=April 2012}}</ref> When McGraw retired in 1932, the Giants appointed [[Bill Terry]] as player-manager. Surprised and disappointed that Terry was chosen over him, Bancroft left the Giants.<ref name=sabr/><ref name="bancroft leaves giants"/>

===Later career===
After retiring as a player, Bancroft managed in minor league baseball. He managed the [[Minneapolis Millers]] of the Class-AA [[American Association (20th century)|American Association]] in 1933.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UqhQAAAAIBAJ&pg=6541,2285551&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Dave Bancroft Named to Succeed Donie Bush at Minneapolis: Major League Veteran Takes Over Miller Reins|newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal|date=November 30, 1932|page=4|access-date=July 18, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Though the Millers reached the championship series,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ov4-AAAAIBAJ&pg=5333,3533444&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Minneapolis Ties Up Title Series|page=6|newspaper=The Border Cities Star|date=September 14, 1933|access-date=August 5, 2012}}</ref> he was not retained for the 1934 season, as the Millers sought a player-manager to help the team reduce costs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8A4_AAAAIBAJ&pg=6620,2323214&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Dave Bancroft Will Lose Job|page=9|newspaper=The Border Cities Star|date=November 11, 1933|access-date=August 5, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OstPAAAAIBAJ&pg=4975,1065614|title=Bush May Take Bancroft's Post as Pilot|newspaper=[[The Evening Independent]]|date=November 25, 1933|page=6A|access-date=April 16, 2012}}</ref>

After the season, Bancroft interviewed for the managerial job with the [[Cincinnati Reds]];<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ggYkAAAAIBAJ&pg=3936,1919202&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Dave Bancroft Seeks Red Job|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal|page=1|date=December 16, 1933|access-date=April 16, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> however, the Reds hired O'Farrell.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tMNRAAAAIBAJ&pg=3083,5678315&dq=reds+manager+o-farrell&hl=en|title=Bob O'Farrell To Pilot Reds, Says MacPhail: Will Be Named If Obtained From The Cards|agency=United News|page=14|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=January 6, 1934|access-date=April 16, 2012}}</ref> Bancroft next managed the [[Sioux City Cowboys]] of the Class-A [[Western League (1900–1958)|Western League]] in 1936.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_bIhAAAAIBAJ&pg=5124,2047826&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Dave Bancroft|newspaper=Reading Eagle|page=22|date=July 10, 1936|access-date=August 5, 2012}}</ref> He appeared in one game for Sioux City as a player. Bancroft then managed the [[St. Cloud Rox (minor league baseball)|St. Cloud Rox]] of the Class-C [[Northern League (baseball, 1902–71)|Northern League]] in 1947.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TB0aAAAAIBAJ&pg=3523,62988&dq=dave+bancroft+st+cloud&hl=en|title=Henrich to Manage|first=Sam|last=Levy|newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal|page=7|date=February 1, 1947|access-date=August 5, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In the [[All-American Girls Professional Baseball League]], Bancroft managed the [[Chicago Colleens]] in 1948 and [[South Bend Blue Sox]] in 1949 and 1950.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/483396352.html?dids=483396352:483396352&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Feb+06%2C+1948&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Dave+Bancroft+To+Pilot+All-American+Colleens&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717215754/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/483396352.html?dids=483396352:483396352&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Feb+06,+1948&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Dave+Bancroft+To+Pilot+All-American+Colleens&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |title=Dave Bancroft To Pilot All-American Colleens |newspaper=[[Chicago Daily Tribune]]|date=February 6, 1948|page=30 |access-date=April 27, 2012}} {{subscription required|date=April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=shZJAAAAIBAJ&pg=2764,655997&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Bancroft in New Role|first=Red|last=Smith|newspaper=Youngstown Vindicator|page=31|date=August 4, 1949|access-date=August 5, 2012}}</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:Dave Bancroft plaque.jpg|thumb|upright|left|110px|Bancroft's plaque at the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame]]]]
[[Grover Cleveland Alexander]], Bancroft's teammate in Philadelphia, and [[Hughie Jennings]], his coach in New York, considered Bancroft one of the best shortstops in MLB.<ref name=Missourian/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5EobAAAAIBAJ&pg=3166,4230477&dq=dave-bancroft+bob-o-farrell&hl=en|title=Here's Alex's All-Star Team During His Career In National League|first=Grover|last=Alexander|author-link=Grover Cleveland Alexander|page=35|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|date=April 13, 1927|access-date=August 5, 2012}}</ref> Sportswriter [[Frank Graham (writer)|Frank Graham]] called Bancroft "the greatest shortstop the Giants ever had and one of the greatest that ever lived."<ref name=sabr/> Bancroft is still considered to be among the top fielders in baseball history.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IAMtAAAAIBAJ&pg=4995,1025566&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Dave Bancroft Fields Same Ball He Hit to Outfield|page=9|newspaper=The Miami News|date=September 11, 1922|access-date=August 5, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/azcentral/access/2036310712.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Aug+04%2C+1922&author=&pub=Arizona+Republican+%281890-1922%29&desc=Dave+Bancroft+Fields+Same+Ball+He+Hit+to+Outfield&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717033757/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/azcentral/access/2036310712.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Aug+04,+1922&author=&pub=Arizona+Republican+(1890-1922)&desc=Dave+Bancroft+Fields+Same+Ball+He+Hit+to+Outfield&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |title=Dave Bancroft Fields Same Ball He Hit to Outfield|newspaper=Arizona Republican|location=Phoenix, Arizona|date=August 4, 1922|page=9|access-date=April 27, 2012}} {{subscription required|date=April 2012}}</ref> He was also considered one of the fastest shortstops in baseball.<ref name=speed/> In contrast to other great fielding shortstops, Bancroft was noted for his offensive ability.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aGdZAAAAIBAJ&pg=3802,4068598&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Catchers to Lead Clubs: Managers of World Series Teams Have Handled Many Pitchers. Neither Pilot Ever Managed Club in World's Series Before|agency=Associated Press|page=6|newspaper=The Mansfield Shield|date=October 5, 1915|access-date=August 5, 2012}}</ref>

{{quote box|align=right|width=33%|quote="Bancroft is one of the greatest shortstops in the history of the game. He can go equally well to his right or left, has a great arm, and is a good hitter. In addition, he is pretty fast on his feet. The best thing about Bancroft is, he can think. He uses his brain. He is more than a great mechanical player. A player like Banny at short means everything to a ball club."|source=–&nbsp;[[Hughie Jennings]]<ref name="Missourian" />}}
After failing to be elected to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|National Baseball Hall of Fame]] by the [[Baseball Writers' Association of America]] (BBWAA), the [[Veterans Committee]] elected Bancroft in [[1971 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|1971]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PthVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6756,1707815&dq=dave-bancroft&hl=en|title=Paige, six others to be enshrined|agency=Associated Press|page=6B|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard|date=August 8, 1971|access-date=August 5, 2012}}</ref> Former Giants teammates Terry and [[Frankie Frisch]], who joined the Veterans Committee in 1967, aided the elections of several of their former teammates; they shepherded the selections of [[Jesse Haines]] in [[1970 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|1970]], Bancroft and [[Chick Hafey]] in 1971, [[Ross Youngs]] in [[1972 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|1972]], [[George Kelly (baseball)|George Kelly]] in [[1973 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|1973]], [[Jim Bottomley]] in [[1974 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|1974]], and [[Freddie Lindstrom]] in [[1976 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|1976]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=11592|title=Prospectus Hit and Run: Don't Call it the Veterans' Committee|first=Jay|last=Jaffe|work=[[Baseball Prospectus]]|publisher=Prospectus Entertainment Ventures, LLC|date=July 28, 2010|access-date=November 3, 2011}}</ref> Bancroft, along with some of the other selections made by Terry and Frisch, has been considered among the weakest of all inductees.<ref name=dot/><ref name=hardball>{{cite web|url=http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/this-annotated-week-in-baseball-history-april-8-14-1996/ |title=This Annotated Week in Baseball History: April 8–14, 1897 |date=April 13, 2007 |publisher=Hardballtimes.com |access-date=June 18, 2012}}</ref>  According to the BBWAA, the Veterans Committee was not selective enough in choosing members.<ref name=brouhaha>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2OQLAAAAIBAJ&pg=6792,627078&dq=george-kelly+veterans+committee&hl=en|title=Baseball Brouhaha Brewing|page=1C|newspaper=The Evening Independent|date=January 19, 1977|access-date=November 3, 2011}}</ref> Charges of cronyism were levied against the Veterans Committee.<ref name=cronyism>{{cite news|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/sullivan/20021221-9999_1s21sullivan.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202123734/http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/sullivan/20021221-9999_1s21sullivan.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |title=Hall voter finds new parameters unhittable |newspaper=[[The San Diego Union Tribune]] |first=Tim |last=Sullivan |page=D.1 |date=December 21, 2002 |access-date=November 3, 2011 }}</ref> This led to the Veterans Committee having its powers reduced in subsequent years.<ref name=dot>{{cite news|url=http://www.dotnews.com/columns/2010/good-news-baseball-hall-looking-electoral-revamp|title=The good news: Baseball Hall looking at electoral revamp|first=Clark|last=Booth|newspaper=Dorchester Reporter|date=August 12, 2010|access-date=December 21, 2011}}</ref>

Despite the criticism of players elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in this period, Bancroft grades well in terms of [[sabermetric]] statistics. He finished fourth in the NL in [[Wins Above Replacement]] in 1920 (6.5) and third in 1921 (7.2) and 1922 (6.0).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1920-other-leaders.shtml |title=1920 National League Awards, All-Stars, & More Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1921-other-leaders.shtml |title=1921 National League Awards, All-Stars, & More Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1922-other-leaders.shtml |title=1922 National League Awards, All-Stars, & More Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 29, 2012}}</ref> Bancroft was also inducted in ''[[The Des Moines Register]]''{{`}}s Iowa Sports Hall of Fame.<ref name=desmoines/>

==Personal life==
Bancroft married Edna Harriet Gisin while he played minor league baseball. They had no children and lived in [[Superior, Wisconsin]], for the remainder of their lives.<ref name=sabr/>

After retiring from baseball, Bancroft worked as a warehouse supervisor with the Interprovincial Pipeline Company. He retired in 1956 and spent his later years hunting and fishing.<ref name=sabr/> Bancroft died on October 9, 1972, in a hospital in Superior at the age of 81.<ref name=obit>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/10/11/archives/dave-bancroft-star-shortstop-i-for-phillies-and-giants-dead.html|title=Dave Bancroft, Star Shortstop For Phillies and Giants, Dead|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|agency=[[Associated Press|AP]]|date=October 11, 1972|access-date=July 7, 2012}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
* [[List of Major League Baseball player-managers]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball single-game hits leaders]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite web |url=http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/8822919c |title=Dave Bancroft |first=Trey |last=Strecker |website=[[Society for American Baseball Research|SABR]]}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{bbhof|bancroft-dave}}
*{{Baseballstats |mlb= |espn= |br=b/bancrda01 |fangraphs=1000503 |brm=bancro001dav|retro=B/Pbancd101 }}, or [https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=bancrda01 Baseball Almanac]
*{{Baseball-reference manager|bancrda01}}
*{{findagrave}}

{{S-start}}
{{Succession box| before = [[Bob Meusel]] | title = [[Hitting for the cycle]]| years = June 1, 1921 | after = [[George Sisler]]}}
{{S-end}}

{{Philadelphia Phillies HOF}}
{{Atlanta Braves managers}}
{{1921 New York Giants}}
{{1922 New York Giants}}
{{1971 Baseball HOF}}
{{Baseball Hall of Fame members}}

{{Good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bancroft, Dave}}
[[Category:1891 births]]
[[Category:1972 deaths]]
[[Category:National Baseball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball shortstops]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies players]]
[[Category:New York Giants (baseball) players]]
[[Category:New York Giants (NL) coaches]]
[[Category:Boston Braves players]]
[[Category:Brooklyn Robins players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Sioux City, Iowa]]
[[Category:Boston Braves managers]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball player-managers]]
[[Category:Minneapolis Millers (baseball) managers]]
[[Category:Duluth White Sox players]]
[[Category:Superior Blues players]]
[[Category:Superior Red Sox players]]
[[Category:Portland Beavers players]]
[[Category:Portland Colts players]]
[[Category:Sioux City Cowboys players]]
[[Category:All-American Girls Professional Baseball League managers]]
[[Category:Baseball coaches from Iowa]]
[[Category:Chicago Colleens]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]