Dave Bancroft

David James Bancroft (April 20, 1891 – October 9, 1972) was an American professional baseball player and manager who played shortstop in Major League Baseball between 1915 and 1930. Born in Sioux City, Iowa, he played minor league baseball from 1909 through 1914, at which point he was bought by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Bancroft began his major league career with the Phillies in 1915, the year the club won the National League pennant. The New York Giants traded for him during the 1920 season, and he played for them through the 1923 season, contributing to the Giants' World Series championship teams in 1921 and 1922 and the pennant-winning team of 1923. He then became player-manager of the Boston Braves, serving in that role for four years. After he was fired by the Braves, Bancroft played two seasons for the Brooklyn Robins and ended his playing career with the Giants the following season. Over his career he also played for those four franchises as a shortstop.

After his playing days, Bancroft coached with the Giants, then managed in the minor leagues and in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Considered an excellent defensive shortstop and a smart ball player, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1971.