Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-05-08
MORAN WORRIES
OVER BANCROFT
Failure of Classy Shortstop to
Show Up. Better May Lose
Him His Job.

Philadelphia, May s.-The failure
Of shortstop Dave Bancroft to round
into form is worrying Manager Mo-
ran more than he cares to admit Re-
ports have at various times attribute
ed Bancroft's absence from the prac-
tice to a lame back, stomach trouble
and several other ailments, but 1t Is
being whispered about that the
Charley horse developed by Ban
Dodgers last fall will not respond to
treatment.
Lost q Flag.
It was this famous charley horse
that deprived the Phiis Of the Ma.
'tional league pennant. At least. ma.
Is the opinion of every n who saw
that final game in Brooklyn. which
was lost because Bancroft was I'M
able to play. Bancroft pulled his
Charley horse. in the ninth inning
of the morning game. but refused TO
retire. The Phils won. giving them
three straight victories over the Rob-
ins. 1t was only necessary to win the
afternoon game to get a lead Of one
full game and a fraction. If this had
been done the Phillies needed only
four victories out of six games with
the Braves in this city and Brooklyn
could not have won the pennant.
Out Since Last Year.
When it came time to start the aft
ernoon game Bancroft could not walk
and Stock was shifted to. short with
the crippled Bobby Byrne at third.
The unfamiliarity Of Stock with BAN
croft's position and Byrne's condition
wrecked the Philly fnfield. After sew
eral easy bounds went through for
hits or were booted Alexander went
to pieces and Moran's men were
crushed. The victory put Brooklyn
there. thanks to the generosity Of the
Giants.
Bancroft was unable to play in the
Boston series and has not played
since, barring the few early practice
games in which nothing strenuous
was attempted. At present Marty
McGaflgan is filing in at short and
is doing we'll, but he nor no n else
on Moran's pay roll can plug up the
spot.
Manager Moran a y that he ex-
poets Bancroft to get bacl: in the
game in a few days. but there is al
ways that chance of him pulling the
tendon again. and Moran is natural
ly worried. II Bancroft comes around
in good shape the Phils are in won-
derful shape.
A Charley horse" is not looked up
on as a serious ailment by the ave-
age ball player, but at the same time
it has fastened the retirement Of
many from the game when contract
ed in the thigh. al in Bancroft's case.
A similar accident drove Dave Fultz,
one Of the greatest outnelders in base
ball, out Of the game just fourteen
years ago.
Spoiled Career of Fultz.
Fultz was the best outielder in the
American league as a member of the
Athletics in 1902 and was one Of the
stars shifted to the New York club
to offer a counter attraction to the
Giants. The old Hilltop grounds were
in horrible shape at the start of the
1908 season, and Fultz pulled his
Charley horse" chasing a fly in one
of the early games. incidentally, the
condition Of this field hastened the
closing Of Willie Keeler's wonderful
career.
Fultz never fully recovered his
speed and his leg finally became so
weak from constant baking and
other treatments that he could not
play steadily. The leg would not
stand the wear and teal subjected
to by Fultz's daredevil base running,
for he was the Cobb Of his day.
Fultz finally realized that he was