View source for Frank Chance

{{Short description|American baseball player and manager (1877–1924)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Frank Chance
|position=[[First baseman]] / [[Manager (baseball)|Manager]]
|image=Frank Chance.jpg
|image_size=300px
|caption=Chance with the New York Yankees in 1913
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{birth date|1877|9|9}}
|birth_place=[[Salida, California]], U.S.
|death_date={{death date and age|1924|9|15|1877|9|9}}
|death_place=[[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=April 29
|debutyear=1898
|debutteam=Chicago Orphans
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=April 21
|finalyear=1914
|finalteam=New York Yankees
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.296
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2value=20
|stat3label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=596
|stat4label=[[Stolen base]]s
|stat4value=401
|stat5label=Managerial record
|stat5value=946–648
|teams=
'''As player'''
* [[Chicago Cubs|Chicago Orphans / Cubs]] ({{mlby|1898}}–{{mlby|1912}})
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|1913}}–{{mlby|1914}})
'''As manager'''
* [[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|1905}}–{{mlby|1912}})
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|1913}}–{{mlby|1914}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|1923}})
|highlights=
* 2× [[World Series]] champion ([[1907 World Series|1907]], [[1908 World Series|1908]])
* 2× [[List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders|NL stolen base leader]] (1903, 1906)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual runs scored leaders|NL runs scored leader]] (1906)
* [[Chicago Cubs#Cubs Hall of Fame|Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame]]
|hoflink = National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
|hoftype = National
|hofdate=[[1946 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|1946]]
|hofmethod=Old-Timers Committee
}}

'''Frank Leroy Chance''' (September 9, 1877 – September 15, 1924) was an American professional [[baseball]] player. A [[first baseman]], Chance played in [[Major League Baseball]] for the [[Chicago Cubs]] and [[New York Yankees]] from 1898 through 1914. He also served as [[manager (baseball)|manager]] of the Cubs, Yankees, and [[Boston Red Sox]].

Discovered by the Cubs as he played [[semi-professional]] baseball while attending college, Chance debuted with the Cubs in 1898, serving as a part-time player. In 1903, Chance became the Cubs' regular first baseman, and in 1905, he succeeded [[Frank Selee]] as the team's manager. Chance led the Cubs to 100 wins in 1906, 1907, 1909, and 1910, becoming the first manager to compile [[List of Major League Baseball 100 win seasons|four 100-win seasons]] (only eight other managers have accomplished the feat in MLB history), with no manager, other than Chance, leading a team to 100 wins four times in five seasons. They would win four [[National League (baseball)|National League]] championships in that span and won the [[World Series]] in 1907 and 1908. With [[Joe Tinker]] and [[Johnny Evers]], Chance formed a strong [[double play]] combination, which was immortalized as "Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance" in "[[Baseball's Sad Lexicon]]".

Let go by the Cubs after the 1912 season, Chance signed with the Yankees, serving as a player–manager for two seasons. He joined the [[Los Angeles Angels (PCL)|Los Angeles Angels]] of the [[Pacific Coast League]] as a player–manager, returning to MLB in 1923 as manager of the Red Sox. Chance was named the manager of the [[Chicago White Sox]] in 1924, but never took control of the team as he became ill. He died later that year.

Noted for his leadership abilities, Chance earned the nickname "Peerless Leader." He is the all-time leader in managerial [[winning percentage]] in Cubs history. Chance was elected to the [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] in the [[1946 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|1946 balloting]] by the [[Veterans Committee]], along with Tinker and Evers. He was inducted into the Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame's first class, in 1959.

==Early life==
Chance was born in [[Salida, California]], in [[Stanislaus County]], on September 9, 1877. His family was of English and Scottish descent.<ref name=evening/> He was raised in [[Fresno, California]]<ref name=latimes>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-sep-05-sp-briefing5-story.html |title=In Fresno, there's hope for a Chance|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |first=Thomas|last=Bonk|date=September 5, 2008 |access-date=September 22, 2012}}</ref> and attended [[Fresno High School]].<ref name=sabr/> His father was president of the first national bank in Fresno.<ref name=evening/>

Chance enrolled at the [[University of California, Berkeley|University of California]], where he pursued a degree in [[dentistry]].<ref name=sabr/> He transferred to [[Washington College (California)|Washington College]] in [[Irvington, California]]. While playing baseball for the school's baseball team, he received an offer to play [[semi-professional]] baseball for a team in [[Sullivan, Illinois]], for $40 a month (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|40|1896}}}} in current dollar terms), which he accepted.<ref name=evening/>

Returning to college the next year, Chance led his team to a third-place finish in an amateur tournament of 50 teams.<ref name=evening/> [[Bill Lange]] of the [[Chicago Cubs]] discovered Chance and convinced the Cubs to sign him as a backup [[catcher]] and [[outfielder]],<ref name=evening/><ref name="sabr">{{cite web |last=Ryhal |first=Gregory |title=Frank Chance |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Frank-Chance/ |access-date=September 20, 2012 |publisher=[[Society for American Baseball Research]]}}</ref> receiving $1,200 a year (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|1200|1897}}}} in current dollar terms).<ref name=evening>{{cite news|date=December 18, 1912|title=Chance has had busy career in the Majors|newspaper=[[The Evening News (Providence, Rhode Island)|The Evening News]]|page=4|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7FVfAAAAIBAJ&pg=2842,4502220&dq=frank-chance+fresno&hl=en|access-date=September 27, 2012 |location=Providence, Rhode Island}}</ref> Chance was [[scout (baseball)|scouted]] by other teams, but chose the Cubs as [[Tim Donohue]] was the only catcher ahead of him on the Cubs' depth chart.<ref name=evening/>

==Professional baseball career==

===Chicago Cubs===
[[File:Frank Chance 1899.jpeg|thumb|Chance circa 1899 from ''The Sporting News'']]
Chance began his career in 1898 with the Chicago Cubs, serving as a reserve catcher and outfielder. He played irregularly through the 1902 season. Due in part to finger injuries suffered while catching, Chance played in no more than 75 games in a season through 1902.<ref name=sabr/> In 1903, [[Johnny Kling]] became the Cubs' full-time catcher. As [[Bill Hanlon]], the Cubs' [[first baseman]], left the team, [[manager (baseball)|manager]] [[Frank Selee]] moved Chance to first base. Though Chance initially balked at the position change, he agreed when he received a pay raise.<ref name=sabr/>

Chance enjoyed a breakout season in 1903, recording a .327 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] and 67 [[stolen base]]s; the latter mark led the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL). His .439 [[on-base percentage]] was third-best in the league, behind [[Roy Thomas]] and [[Roger Bresnahan]], and his 81 [[Run batted in|runs batted in]] (RBIs) tied [[Jake Beckley]] for sixth-best.<ref name=sabr/> Chance had a .310 batting average in 1904, good for sixth place in the NL. His .382 on-base percentage was the fourth-best in the league, and his .430 [[slugging percentage]] was fifth-best. Chance also hit six [[home run]]s, tying him with [[Dan McGann]], [[Red Dooin]], and [[Cozy Dolan (1900s outfielder)|Cozy Dolan]] for third place, his 42 stolen bases tied McGann for fourth place, and his 89 [[run (baseball)|runs scored]] were seventh-best.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1904-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1904 National League Batting Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 20, 2012}}</ref> On May 30, 1904, he was [[hit by a pitch]] five times in a double header.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_hbp2.shtml|title=Hit by a Pitch Records by Baseball Almanac|work=baseball-almanac.com|access-date=September 30, 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Frank Chance Baseball Card.jpg|left|upright|thumb|Frank Chance [[baseball card]]]]
Selee fell ill in 1905, and Chance was selected to succeed him as manager.<ref name=sabr/> That year, he also batted .316 with 92 runs scored and 70 RBIs. His batting average was sixth-best in the NL, while he led the league with a .450 on-base percentage, and finished seventh with a .434 slugging percentage. His 38 stolen bases were sixth-best in the league.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1905-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1905 National League Batting Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 20, 2012}}</ref> In 1906, Chance batted .319 and led the NL in runs scored (103) and stolen bases (57). His batting average was fifth-best in the league, while his .419 on-base percentage finished in third, and his .430 slugging percentage placed him in fifth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1906-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1906 National League Batting Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 20, 2012}}</ref> When Chance stole home from second base in a tie game against the [[Cincinnati Reds]], team owner [[Charles Murphy (baseball owner)|Charles W. Murphy]] granted him a ten-percent ownership stake in the club to show his gratitude. Chance later sold his share of the franchise for approximately $150,000.<ref name=sabr/> Meanwhile, The Cubs won 116 games during the 1906 season, taking the [[List of National League pennant winners|NL pennant]].<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite news|title=Congratulate Frank Chance|date=September 21, 1906|page=22|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vwIbAAAAIBAJ&pg=4892,4346446&dq=frank-chance&hl=en|newspaper=[[The Pittsburgh Press]]|access-date=September 27, 2012 }}</ref> The [[Chicago White Sox]] of the [[American League]] defeated the Cubs in the [[1906 World Series]].<ref>{{cite web|title=1906 World Series&nbsp;– Chicago White Sox over Chicago Cubs (4–2) |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1906_WS.shtml |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 20, 2012}}</ref>

Chance batted .293 during the 1907 season, finishing sixth in the NL, while his .395 on-base percentage was third-best. He tied [[Ed Abbaticchio]] for seventh with 35 stolen bases.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1907-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1907 National League Batting Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 22, 2012}}</ref> The Cubs returned to the World Series in 1907. Though Chance only batted .154 in the [[1907 World Series]], the Cubs defeated the Tigers in four games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1907_WS.shtml |title=1907 World Series&nbsp;– Chicago Cubs over Detroit Tigers (4–0) |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 22, 2012}}</ref>

Chance began to decline during the 1908 season. Though he finished third in the NL with 27 [[double (baseball)|doubles]], he did not finish among the ten best in the categories of batting average, on-base percentage, or stolen bases in 1908, 1909, or 1910.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1908-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1908 National League Batting Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 22, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1909-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1909 National League Batting Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 22, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1910-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1910 National League Batting Leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 22, 2012}}</ref> Chance batted .421 in the [[1908 World Series]], as the Cubs again defeated the Tigers, this time in five games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1908_WS.shtml |title=1908 World Series&nbsp;– Chicago Cubs over Detroit Tigers (4–1) |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 22, 2012}}</ref>

By 1910, Chance began to groom [[Fred Luderus]] as his successor at first base.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BiwbAAAAIBAJ&pg=2884,976040&dq=frank-chance&hl=en|title=Frank Chance And Not Kling Hurt The Cubs: Joe Tinker Declares Manager's Absence From Many Games Helped Beat Chicago|page=14|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|date=January 5, 1910|access-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref> He rebuilt the team in 1911 after Evers's nervous breakdown and the departure of [[Harry Steinfeldt]], replacing them with [[Heinie Zimmerman]] and [[Jim Doyle (baseball)|Jim Doyle]] respectively.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ewIdAAAAIBAJ&pg=1915,2400304&dq=frank-chance&hl=en|title=Frank Chance Tells How He Reorganized Chicago Cubs: Accomplished Big Task Without Missing a Stroke of the Championship Flywheel. Manager's Own Views|first=Frank|last=Chance|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|page=6|date=August 13, 1911|access-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref> The Cubs returned to the World Series in 1910, against the [[Philadelphia Athletics]]. Chance batted .353 in the [[1910 World Series]], though the Athletics won the series in five games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1910_WS.shtml |title=1910 World Series&nbsp;– Philadelphia Athletics over Chicago Cubs (4–1) |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 22, 2012}}</ref> Chance was ejected in game three, becoming the first player ever ejected from a [[World Series]] game. Chance continued to transition himself out of the Cubs' lineup in 1911, as he played in only 31 games.<ref name=sabr/>

===New York Yankees===
In 1912, Chance endured surgeries to correct [[blood clot]]s in his brain that were caused by being [[hit by pitch]]es in his head. Meanwhile, Chance argued with Murphy, who had been releasing expensive players from the Cubs in an effort to save the team money.<ref name=sabr/> The [[New York Yankees]] negotiated for Chance's release from the Cubs after the 1912 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zg9VAAAAIBAJ&pg=2009,4628926&dq=frank-chance&hl=en|title=Yankees Get Frank Chance: Release of Peerless Leader Formally Purchased for Sum of $1,500—Signs Tuesday|page=10|newspaper=The Paterson Press|date=January 3, 1913|access-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref> The Cubs released Chance while he was hospitalized,<ref name=sabr/> and in January 1913, Chance signed a three-year contract with the Yankees, worth $120,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|120000|1913}}}} in current dollar terms), to serve as the Yankees' manager.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8owLAAAAIBAJ&pg=4738,2991849&dq=frank-chance&hl=en|title=Frank Chance Manager of New York Yankees: Immense Salary Will Be Paid Former Leader of the Cubs—Contract For Three Years|page=6|newspaper=The Evening Independent|date=January 9, 1913|access-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref> He also played first base for the Yankees<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1913/02/11/archives/frank-chance-here-to-play-first-base-yankees-new-manager-intends-to.html |title=Frank Chance Here&nbsp;— To Play First Base&nbsp;— Yankees' New Manager Intends to Get Into the Game Again Next Season|newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 11, 1913 |access-date=September 20, 2012}}</ref> and served as field captain, though he played in no more than 12 games in a season.<ref name=sabr/> The Yankees sat in last place on the next-to-last day of the 1913 season, but won their final game to finish in seventh place.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eu4gAAAAIBAJ&pg=1336,933167&dq=frank-chance&hl=en|title=Yankees in Last Place: Houk Knows How Frank Chance Felt|first=Ed Jr. |last=Schuyler|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Day|location=New London, Connecticut|page=20|date=September 8, 1966|access-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref> In 1914, Chance named [[Roger Peckinpaugh]] the Yankees' new captain.<ref>{{cite web|first=Peter |last=Gordon |url=http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/829dbefb |title=Roger Peckinpaugh |publisher=Society for American Baseball Research |access-date=March 21, 2012}}</ref>

After struggling during the 1914 season, Chance criticized the talent brought to him by Yankees scout [[Arthur Irwin]]. After repeatedly seeking to have Irwin fired, he offered his resignation from the team late in the season on the condition that he still was to receive his 1915 salary.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/09/14/archives/chance-says-he-or-irwin-must-go-peerless-leader-dissatisfied-with.html |title=Chance Says He Or Irwin Must Go&nbsp;— Peerless Leader Dissatisfied with Yankee Scout – Wants Better Players|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 14, 1914|access-date=September 20, 2012}}</ref> After this was accepted by team owner [[Frank J. Farrell]], Chance resigned with three weeks remaining in the season, and Peckinpaugh served as player–manager for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d_ogAAAAIBAJ&pg=6840,1769504|title=Peckinpaugh in Charge of Yanks|newspaper=The Day|page=11|date=September 16, 1914|access-date=March 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/09/16/archives/chance-paid-off-quits-the-yankees-roger-peckinpaugh-appointed.html |title=Chance Paid Off, Quits The Yankees&nbsp;– Roger Peckinpaugh Appointed Manager of Team for Remainder of Season|newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 16, 1914|access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref>

===Later career===
[[File:Frank Chance and Miller Huggins shake hands CROP.jpg|right|thumb|Chance ''(left)'' shakes hands with [[Miller Huggins]] in 1923]]
Chance returned to his native California, and was named manager of the [[Los Angeles Angels (PCL)|Los Angeles Angels]] of the [[Pacific Coast League]] in 1916.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1915-12-31 |title=Frank Chance Is Wanted As Angel Leader |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-frank-chance-is-wante/168682548/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |work=[[Detroit Free-Press]] |page=12 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Chance won the league championship in 1916. He re-signed with the Angels for the 1917 season<ref>{{Cite news |date=1916-12-17 |title=Frank Chance Signs Again |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-frank-chance-signs/168682693/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=VI-15 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> and was also granted a part ownership in the Angels from the majority owner, John F. Powers. Powers and Chance remained good friends for the rest of his life. He resigned during the 1917 season due to his declining health.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1917/07/04/archives/frank-chance-resigns.html |title=Frank Chance Resigns|newspaper=The New York Times |date=July 4, 1917 |access-date=September 20, 2012}}</ref> He then served as president of the [[California Winter League]], continuing to instill discipline in players: he fined [[Ty Cobb]] for "abusing an [[umpire (baseball)|umpire]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9yxKAAAAIBAJ&pg=1625,2508292&dq=frank-chance&hl=en |newspaper=Youngstown Vindicator|title=Frank Chance Seems to Be Making Great Name as League Head: Former "Peerless Leader" Ruling California Winter Circuit with Iron Hand—Plastered Fine on Ty Cobb—Chasing the Roughnecks|first=Frank B.|last=Ward|page=12|date=December 3, 1921|access-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref>

Chance managed the Boston Red Sox in 1923.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_cpPAAAAIBAJ&pg=5332,834894&dq=frank-chance&hl=en|title=Frank Chance Would Like To Get Roger Peckinpaugh For Red Sox|agency=NEA Service|page=14|newspaper=The Evening Independent|date=February 10, 1923|access-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref> The Red Sox did not retain Chance after the season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Leary |first=James C. |date=1923-09-28 |title=Frank Chance To Go, New Pilot For 1924 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-frank-chance-to-go-new/168682777/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |work=The Boston Globe |page=20 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> But some sources noted that Chance had only agreed to a one-year contract and was not necessarily interested in returning to the Red Sox, a team described by one sportswriter as no better than a minor league club.<ref>"Lee Fohl Slated to Succeed Frank Chance as Red Sox Leader." Baton Rouge (LA) State Times, July 26, 1923, p. 14.</ref> After his relationship with the Red Sox was severed, he was named the Chicago White Sox manager for the 1924 season<ref>{{Cite news |last=Doherty |first=Edward |date=1924-03-13 |title=Frank Chance Will Take Charge Of White Sox Early Next Month |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-frank-chance-will/168682924/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=B1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> but developed severe [[influenza]] before he could take the helm. He soon developed other respiratory complications, including [[asthma]].<ref name=obit/> Chance submitted his resignation to owner [[Charles Comiskey]], but Comiskey refused to accept it, giving him the opportunity to return to the team when his health improved.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1924-02-17 |title=Frank Chance Resigns As Manager Of White Sox But Comiskey Refuses To Accept It |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-frank-chance-resigns-as/168683023/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |work=Hartford Courant |page=6Z |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He returned to Chicago briefly in April,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7OtPAAAAIBAJ&pg=6207,1674142&dq=frank-chance&hl=en|title=Frank Chance Is On Job To Handle Chicago Team|newspaper=The Evening Independent|page=12|date=April 11, 1924|access-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref> but was unable to take charge of the team.<ref name=obit>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MeZVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6207,2300118&dq=frank-chance+angels+owner&hl=en|title=Frank Chance, Famed White Sox Manager, Is Dead; Keystone of Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance Triangle|page=15|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=[[Spokane, Washington]]|date=September 16, 1924|access-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref> Chance returned to Los Angeles where he underwent emergency surgery in April 1924. Evers was named the White Sox acting manager for the 1924 season.<ref name=whitesox>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LJ4hAAAAIBAJ&pg=4597,4361753&dq=johnny-evers&hl=en |title=Evers Made Manager: Frank Chance Ordered Home Because of Health|page=17|newspaper=Reading Eagle|date=April 20, 1924|access-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref>

===Career summary===

====Overview====
Chance was part of the trio of infielders remembered for their double-play ability, with [[Joe Tinker]] and [[Johnny Evers]]. The trio were immortalized as "Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance", also known as "[[Baseball's Sad Lexicon]]", written by the 28-year-old ''[[New York Evening Mail]]'' newspaper columnist [[Franklin Pierce Adams]] in July 1910.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ashley|first=Sally|year=1986|title=F.P.A.: The Life and Times of Franklin P. Adams|publisher=Beaufort|page=65}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dOpFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3891,7560236&dq=frank-chance&hl=en|title=Sportlight|first=Grantland|last=Rice|author-link=Grantland Rice|newspaper=The Pentwater News|page=3|date=February 2, 1945|access-date=May 6, 2013}}</ref> Chance helped Evers develop an underhanded throw.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=u8AaAAAAIBAJ&pg=1541,789843&dq=frank-chance&hl=en|title=How Evers Developed The Underhand Throw: Gives Frank Chance Credit for Teaching Him a New Style|page=27|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|date=October 4, 1907|access-date=May 6, 2013}}</ref>

Chance took over as Chicago's manager in 1905. His playing time decreased towards the end of the decade. The Cubs won the NL pennant in 1906, 1907, 1908 and 1910, and won the [[World Series]] in 1907 and 1908—the team's last World Series titles before 2016. He became the highest paid player in baseball, earning an estimated $25,000 (equivalent to ${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|25000|1910}}}} in {{Inflation year|index=US}}) in 1910, which included dividends on 10 percent ownership stake in the Cubs.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1910-09-12 |title=Frank Chance highest paid of all players |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fresno-herald-frank-chance-highest-paid/174293709/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |work=Fresno Herald |pages=6}}</ref> Noted for his leadership abilities, Chance earned the nickname "Peerless Leader."<ref>"Peerless Leader of Baseball Dies After Long Fight." ''Baton Rouge (LA) State Times'', September 16, 1924, p. 8.</ref><ref name=":0" /> [[John McGraw]], a contemporary and rival of Chance, considered Chance one of the greatest players he ever saw.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGraw |first=John J. |date=1923-02-23 |title=McGraw Picks Frank Chance Among Greatest Players |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-mcgraw-picks-frank/168683557/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-3 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

Chance's lifetime record as a manager was 946–648 ({{winning percentage|946|648}} [[winning percentage]]); his .664 winning percentage as manager of the Cubs is the highest in franchise history.<ref name=sabr/> As a player, Chance is the Cubs' all-time career leader in stolen bases, with 400. He led the Cubs in batting average in 1903, 1904, 1905 and 1907. In World Series play, Chance batted .300, recording 21 hits, scoring 11 runs, and stealing 10 bases.<ref name=sabr/>

Chance was a disciplinarian.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chance |first=Frank |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/10/24/archives/subduing-a-ball-player-frank-chance-tells-how-he-dealt-with-a-fresh.html |title=Subduing a Ball Player. – Frank Chance Tells How He Dealt with a "Fresh" Recruit|newspaper=The New York Times|page=19|date=October 24, 1915 |access-date=September 20, 2012}}</ref> He preached moderation in socializing, including avoiding alcohol, to his players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=1914-03-16 |title=Frank Chance enthusiastic about the amateur leagues; passes out good advice to youngsters |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-diego-sun-frank-chance-enthusias/174294159/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |work=The San Diego Sun |pages=6}}</ref> Chance fined his players for shaking hands with opposing teams' players and forced [[Solly Hofman]] to delay his wedding until after the baseball season, lest marriage impair his abilities on the playing field.<ref name=sabr/> In August 1911, Chance suspended Tinker for the remainder of the season for using profanity,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dQIdAAAAIBAJ&pg=1141,1023064&dq=tinker+chance+suspended&hl=en|title=Joe Tinker Fined And Suspended: Reprimanded by Chance for Failing to Get Fly Balls, He Answers Profanely and Is Given Severe Punishment; Declares Penalty is Unjust and Undeserved|page=6|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|date=August 6, 1911|access-date=May 9, 2013}}</ref> though he reinstated Tinker two days later.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=i6xkAAAAIBAJ&pg=4520,3581799&dq=tinker+chance+suspended&hl=en|title=Chance Has Reinstated Tinker|newspaper=Trenton True American|page=4|date=August 8, 1911|access-date=May 9, 2013}}</ref>

====Managerial record====

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason
|-
!Games!!Won!!Lost!!Win %!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|-
|-
![[1905 Chicago Cubs season|CHC]]|| {{mlby|1905}}
||88||55||33||{{Winning percentage|55|33}}|| 3rd in NL || – || – || – || –
|-style="background:#fdd"
![[1906 Chicago Cubs season|CHC]]|| {{mlby|1906}}
||152||116||36||{{Winning percentage|116|36}}|| '''1st in NL''' || 2 || 4 || .333 || Lost [[1906 World Series|World Series]] ([[1906 Chicago White Sox season|CWS]])
|-style="background:#fde910"
![[1907 Chicago Cubs season|CHC]]|| {{mlby|1907}}
||152||107||45||{{Winning percentage|107|45}}|| '''1st in NL''' || 4 || 0 || 1.000 || '''Won [[1907 World Series|World Series]] ([[1907 Detroit Tigers season|DET]])'''
|-style="background:#fde910"
![[1908 Chicago Cubs season|CHC]]|| {{mlby|1908}}
||154||99||55||{{Winning percentage|99|55}}|| '''1st in NL''' || 4 || 1 || .800 || '''Won [[1908 World Series|World Series]] ([[1908 Detroit Tigers season|DET]])'''
|-
![[1909 Chicago Cubs season|CHC]]|| {{mlby|1909}}
||153||104||49||{{Winning percentage|104|49}}|| 2nd in NL || – || – || – || –
|-style="background:#fdd"
![[1910 Chicago Cubs season|CHC]]|| {{mlby|1910}}
||154||104||50||{{Winning percentage|104|50}}|| '''1st in NL''' || 1 || 4 || .200 || Lost [[1910 World Series|World Series]] ([[1910 Philadelphia Athletics season|PHA]])
|-
![[1911 Chicago Cubs season|CHC]]|| {{mlby|1911}}
||154||92||62||{{Winning percentage|92|62}}|| 2nd in NL || – || – || – || –
|-
![[1912 Chicago Cubs season|CHC]]|| {{mlby|1912}}
||150||91||59||{{Winning percentage|91|59}}|| 3rd in NL || – || – || – || –
|-
! colspan="2"|CHC total || 1157 || 768 || 389 || {{Winning percentage|768|389}} || || 11 || 9 || .550 ||
|-
![[1913 New York Yankees season|NYY]]|| {{mlby|1913}}
||151||57||94||{{Winning percentage|57|94}}|| 7th in AL || – || – || – || –
|-
![[1914 New York Yankees season|NYY]]|| {{mlby|1914}}
||134||60||74||{{Winning percentage|60|74}}|| resigned || – || – || – || –
|-
! colspan="2"|NYY total || 285 || 117 || 168 || {{Winning percentage|117|168}} || || 0 || 0 || – ||
|-
![[1923 Boston Red Sox season|BOS]]|| {{mlby|1923}}
||152||61||91||{{Winning percentage|0|0}}|| 8th in AL || – || – || – || –
|-
! colspan="2"|BOS total || 152 || 61 || 91 || {{Winning percentage|61|91}} || || 0 || 0 || – ||
|-
! colspan="2"|Total<ref>{{cite web|title=Frank Chance|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/chancfr01.shtml|website=Baseball Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=September 28, 2015}}</ref> || 1594 || 946 || 648 || {{Winning percentage|946|648}} || || 11 || 9 || .550 || 
|}

==Personal==
[[File:Frank Chance plaque.jpg|thumb|upright|right|150px|Chance's [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame]] plaque]]
During the baseball offseasons, Chance worked as a [[prizefighter]]. [[James J. Corbett]] and [[John L. Sullivan]], among the best fighters of the era, both considered Chance "the greatest amateur brawler of all time."<ref name=sabr/> Chance owned a ranch in [[Glendora, California]], which he sold prior to becoming manager of the Red Sox.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1922-11-15 |title=Frank Chance Sells Ranch |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-frank-chance-sells/168683787/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=III-3 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

Chance married Edythe Pancake on October 3, 1903.<ref>{{cite book|title=Tinker, Evers, and Chance: A triple biography|first=Gil|last=Bogen|page=[https://archive.org/details/tinkereverschanc00gilb/page/49 49]|publisher=McFarland|year=2003|isbn=0-7864-1681-5|url=https://archive.org/details/tinkereverschanc00gilb/page/49}}</ref> Edythe became an advocate for baseball, imploring women to attend baseball games.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xPogAAAAIBAJ&pg=5656,4392556&dq=frank-chance+wife&hl=en|title=Baseball Needs Help of Women: Mrs. Frank Chance Says They Had Better Drop Bridge and Teas|page=10|newspaper=The Day|date=April 13, 1909|access-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref>

Chance died on September 15, 1924 at age 47. Some sources simply said that he died after a "long illness",<ref>"Frank Chance Dies at Los Angeles Home After Long Illness." Springfield (MA) Republican, September 16, 1924, p. 4.</ref> while others attributed it to heart disease brought on by severe spasms of bronchial asthma.<ref>"Sudden Attack Fatal to Great First Baseman." ''San Francisco Chronicle'', September 16, 1924, p. 16.</ref> He was survived by his wife, mother, sister, and three brothers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1924-09-16 |title=Frank Chance Dies Here Suddenly |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-frank-chance-dies/168683956/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=41 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w1dbAAAAIBAJ&pg=1527,81578|title="Peerless Leader" of Baseball Dead: Frank Chance, Famous as Chicago Pilot, Dies After Long Illness|newspaper=Providence News|page=13|date=September 16, 1924|access-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref> Chance was interred in the [[Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery]], Los Angeles. His death was greatly mourned, and his funeral received widespread publicity in Los Angeles and Chicago. Among his pallbearers were Powers and race car driver [[Barney Oldfield]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1955-02-03 |title=Frank Chance Memorial Ceremonies On Today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-frank-chance-memor/168692703/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |work=The Los Angeles Times |page=IV-3 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> His estate was valued at $170,000 ($2.35 million today).<ref>{{Cite news |date=1925-10-29 |title=Frank Chance Left $170,000; Goes to Widow |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-frank-chance-left-1700/168692801/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |work=Chicago Tribune |page=28 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

==Honors==
After falling short of induction in the Baseball Hall of Fame by seven votes in 1945,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=61gbAAAAIBAJ&pg=5394,2899209&dq=frank-chance&hl=en|title=Frank Chance Misses by 7 Votes: Writers Unable to Agree on Hall of Fame Nominee|agency=United Press International|page=16|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|date=January 29, 1945|access-date=May 6, 2013}}</ref> Chance was elected to the Hall of Fame in the [[1946 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|1946 balloting]] by the [[Veterans Committee]]. Tinker and Evers were elected the same year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D4YhAAAAIBAJ&pg=2068,92886&dq=johnny-evers&hl=en|title=New Plaques Placed in Baseball Hall of Fame|agency=[[International News Service]]|page=11|newspaper=Reading Eagle|date=July 21, 1947|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=April 24, 1946 |title=Frank Chance Named To The Hall Of Fame |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1946/04/24/archives/frank-chance-named-to-the-hall-of-fame.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 20, 2012 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> Chance was also elected to the Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame's first class, in 1959.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fresnoahof.org/current-past-inductees|title=Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame {{!}} Home|website=Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame {{!}} Home|access-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731195939/https://www.fresnoahof.org/current-past-inductees|archive-date=July 31, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=abclocal/>

A baseball field in Fresno named after Chance operated from 1935 to 1941. [[Joe DiMaggio]] played in the first-ever game at Frank Chance Field.<ref name=abclocal>{{cite web|url=https://abc11.com/archive/7455556/ |title=Frank Chance ballpark memorialized |work=abc11.com |publisher=[[KFSN-TV]] |date=May 22, 2010 |access-date=September 20, 2012}}</ref> Retired players participated in an exhibition game in Chance's honor in 1937.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EnddAAAAIBAJ&pg=3761,5724145&dq=frank-chance&hl=en|title=Honor For Frank Chance: Old Time Ball Players in Program In His Memory|agency=Associated Press|page=12|newspaper=Lawrence Journal-World|date=June 24, 1937|access-date=May 7, 2013}}</ref>

The [[City of Hope National Medical Center]] created the Frank L. Chance Research Fellowship Foundation in his memory in 1955.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wolf |first=Al |date=1955-01-20 |title=Foundation Established to Honor Frank Chance |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-foundation-establi/168692876/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=IV-2 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual runs scored leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball player-managers]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commonscat}}
*{{bbhof|chance-frank}}
*{{cite book |title=Baseball:The Biographical Encyclopedia |year=2000 |publisher=[[Sports Illustrated]] |isbn=1-892129-34-5 |editor-last=Pietrusza |editor-first=David |pages=[https://archive.org/details/baseballbiograph00matt/page/191 191–192] |editor-last2=Silverman |editor-first2=Matthew |editor-last3=Gershman |editor-first3=Michael |url=https://archive.org/details/baseballbiograph00matt/page/191}}{{baseballstats|mlb=112183|espn=|br=c/chancfr01|fangraphs=1002131|brm=chance001fra|retro=C/Pchanf101}}
*{{baseball-reference manager|chancfr01}}
*{{findagrave}}

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