Dave Bancroft

Played For
Philadelphia Phillies (1915-1920)
New York Giants (1920-1923)
Boston Braves (1924-1927)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1928-1929)
New York Giants (1930)

Managed
Boston Braves (1924-1927)

Minor League Experience
1909: Duluth-Superior (Wisconsin-Minnesota League)
1910-1911: Superior (Wisconsin-Minnesota League)
1912-1914: Portland (Pacific Coast League)
1936: Sioux City (Western Association)

All-Time Rankings
Dave Bancroft ranks #26 among the Top 50 all-time at SS. Rankings ⇒

Best Season: 1921
In 1921 he batted .318 in 153 games, scoring 121 runs, collecting 193 hits, 15 triples, and 67 RBI. He slugged a career-best .441 and walked 66 times while striking out just 23. He was brilliant in the field, leading NL shortstops in putouts, assists, double plays, and fielding.

Where He Played
Bancroft played more games at shortstop than any other player from 1915-1930.

As a Manager
Being manager of the Boston Braves is a job very few men get excited about. Bancroft assumed that role after his trade from the Giants in 1923. His hard-nosed style rubbed more than a few Braves players the wrong way, or maybe it was the players who were lazy, either way Bancroft had some personality clashes as Braves' skipper. On June 18, 1927, one of those clashes came to a head when Pirates' catcher Earl Smith (who had played for the Braves under Bancroft) decked his former manager. Bancroft and Smith had an exchange of words that precipitated the violence and the Boston manager was carried off the field. Smith drew a $500 fine and 30-day suspension, which was a fairly common punishment for fighting in those days.

Born
David James Bancroft was born on April 20, 1891, in Sioux City, IA.

Died
October 9, 1972, Superior, WI

Batted:  Both
Threw:  Right

Primary Position:  SS

Primary Team:  PHI

Major League Debut
April 14, 1915

Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1915
Sam Rice
Rogers Hornsby
Joe Judge
George Sisler
Dave Bancroft
Dazzy Vance
Charlie Jamieson
George Kelly
Baby Doll Jacobson

Nicknames
Beauty

The origin of Bancroft's nickname "Beauty" is somewhat in dispute. Some sources claim it's what teammates yelled at Bancroft when he made a fine play in the field. Other sources say Bancroft himself would yell "Beauty!" when something went his team's way. Regardless, it stuck, and eventually made it's way to Bancroft's Hall of Fame plaque.

Similar Players
Dick Bartell, Roger Peckinpaugh, Phil Rizzuto, Dick Groat

Related Players
Larry Doyle, Dick Bartell, Travis Jackson

Hall of Fame Voting Year Election Votes Pct 1937 BBWAA 3 1.5% 1938 BBWAA 2 .8% 1939 BBWAA 1 .4% 1946 Nominating Vote 1 .5% 1948 BBWAA 4 3.3% 1949 BBWAA 5 3.3% 1950 BBWAA 9 5.4% 1951 BBWAA 9 4.0% 1952 BBWAA 11 4.7% 1953 BBWAA 10 3.8% 1954 BBWAA 10 4.0% 1955 BBWAA 19 7.6% 1956 BBWAA 15 7.8% 1958 BBWAA 43 16.2% 1960 BBWAA 30 11.2% 1971 Veterans %

Post-Season Appearances
1915 World Series
1921 World Series
1922 World Series
1923 World Series

Batting Feats

• June 1, 1920: Cycle...


• June 28, 1920: 6 Hits...

Replaced
Bancroft replaced Mickey Doolan as starting shortstop for the Phillies in 1915, after Doolan had jumped to the Federal League.

Replaced By
Travis Jackson was the young shortstop the Giants had in the wings and the reason Bancroft was dealt to the Boston Braves... Glenn Wright was inserted at short by Brooklyn in 1930, after Bancroft had been released.

Best Strength as a Player
Defensive range and leadership.

Largest Weakness as a Player
In the seven seasons that caught stealing data was kept during Bancroft's career, the pesky leadoff batter was thrown out as many times (75) as he was successful stealing.

Learn More about Dave Bancroft
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