The New York herald., 1921-03-04

BANCROFT MAY NOT
START WITH GIANTS
Gloom : Enyelops Training
Camp When News Is Received
of Shortstop's Illness.
GEO. KELLY. HITS HOMER
Ball Crashes Into Tin Roof of
Mrs. McCune's Kitchen
Outside Ground.
GEO. KELLY HITS HOMER
rs u gtEL.

IS
Special Des.Q,ti q, YIE New York HERALD.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March S.-To-
night gloom envelops the camp of the
Giants as thick as London fog and as
all pervading Davy Bancroft, the short
stop. may not start the season with the
New Yerks. From Hot Springs, Ark,
through the medium OF a San antonio
player who spent a few weeks there and
reported to the local Grub this morning,
came the word that Bancroft Is Ill at
the Spa. Bancroft, who has been at
the springs for about a month. is suffer-
ing from a slight attack of heart trouble.
The Illness Is not serious, but 1t has the
infieder worried.
Bancroft contemplates coming here in
few days to confer with John McGraw
The manager Is due tomorrow morning
with Mrs. McGraw and George Burns
and Mrs. Burns. Mike Gonzales. the
catcher, is not with the party 1t de-
veloped this evening that the Cuban had
sailed from Havana alone and that he
would not be here until Saturday.
If the diagnosis is correct and Ban
croft really has heart trouble the chance
OF his being in the lineup when the
Giants open the season In Philadelphia
on April 13 is very slim indeed. With
Bancroft out of commission McGraw's
infield problem, already complicated by
the necessity of filling the gap at second
base, will make the trials of Tantalus
look like frolc
Bancroft Is the hard luck champion
OF the league. Ever since he came into
the circuit from Portland as a member
az the Philiies he has been pursued by
physicai troubles OF various descriptions.
He has suffered leg injuries repeatedly
and has been forced out OF the game
time and again by stomach complica-
fions. The latest development caps the
climax.
Problem for McGrnw.
II McGraw finds that he cannot count
on Bancroft he undoubtedly will renew
his efforts with great vigor to make a
trade for an infielGer. He needed one
badly even if Davy were At and now
he may need two and need them In a
hurry. The general supposition had been
that Frank Frisch would go back to
second base and that Joe Rapp, from st.
Paul. would be assigned to third base.
But now nobody knows just what is
what Texas League sharps down this
way declare that after the Giant leader
has had a chance to sort out his material
Jack Monroe will be found at second
base. with Frsch still on third and
Rapp at shortstop. Rapp played short
stop for Beaumont in the Texas League
In 1919 after tryout with the Reds.
1t Is not very often that major
league club is dealt cruel blow such as
fate threatens to strike at the Giants.
Without bancroft the pennaat chances
of the New York Giants would be in
Jured more than may be imagined.
Before he was acquired from the Phil
lies in exchange for Fletcher last June
the Giants were staggering along and
flirting In and out of the cellar The
coming OF Bancroft marked the be-
ginning of an upward trend which soon
put the club back In the fore. fighting
hard for the flag. Bancroft was the
greatest shortstop In the National
League last season and hit harder than
ever before in his professional career.
Late last season 1t was reported that
Davy had strained himself but he was
right back in his position, lighting as
lnrd as ever. Ee set a terrific pace
qua II may have collected Its toll Then
gain. the report may be exaggerated
md Bancroft may not he as Ill as he
imagines he is. The Giant camp is hop
ing so anyway-and hoping hard.
Not only is Bancroft away, but Rapp,
too, has failed to report The young
man Is taking a peculiar attitude for
rookie. He was scheduled to Join the
main division at st. Louis last Mond sy
but was reported missing He was ex-
pected last night and again this evening.
but thus far there is no Sign of the
$4,000 infielder. He Is not a holdout
ago.
George Kelly Hits Homer.
Through the medium of the powerful
bat of George Kelly official notification
OF the inaugural of the Giants training
regiment at the Texas League park was
issued at exactly 10;49 A. NJ AS Mrs.
McCune was busy preparing her liege
lords midday repast she was startled
by a terrific crash on the tin roof of
her kitchen. 1t was Kel,y---Hot Kelly
himself, but the first Kelly home run
OF the 1921 season.
Kelly. accompanied by his brother
Reynolds. who is pitcher and was
here last March with the New Yorks,
reported last night. Fake IL from those
who watched the Giants go through their
first workouts this morning and again
in the afternoon, long George Is In shape.
When he arrived at san Antonio last
spring Kelly was an aspirant for the
place left vacant by the unmourned
Chase. and he seemed to lack that con-
season OF success. This morning II was
Kelly, the we'll known clouter, who
stenped to tho plate. And take II from
Mrs. McCune and the tin roof Of her
kitchen. Kelly isn't Bill Lange's nephew
for nothing
The morning session under Hughey
Jennings and Jess Bursett was not much
o. an organized workout The rain OF
yesterday had left the diamond muddy
and very little could be done on IL. Most
et the players gathered In the outfield,
and with hot sun shining out OF cloud
less skies threw the ban around and en-
gagged In 'peppery" practice. At 10 :45
Kelly began to tire Of this lazy sched-
ule. His arm strained for a craeiS at the
nd horsehide and he induced Pol Per-
s-tt TO toss him one right over the plate.
Here comes curve yelled Pol.
Here comes q clout." shouted Kelly,
and there came the crash over the Me-
Cuns pantry--and an ever 10 be cher
ishcd ball for one Of the youngsters vino
acurricd out Of the park after II as IL II
we're Sunday school picnic with ice
cream and everything,
Hey, you, Kelly. want 20 send the
club to the poorhouse?' shouted Jen-
rings. and the little fence clearing fes-
tival was ended.
When the Giants were here last March
some OF the houscholders outside az the
boil park tried to get injunctons against
home runs into their family circles. but
the courts confessed their lack Of iuris-
diction