The Washington times., 1921-02-02

long and historical career in the n
Especially will his retirement be re-
gretted by theatrical people and
those many other friends who have for
years relied on "Bannie" for "Annie
Oakleys." There never was man
ION the gate" who was more liberal
In distributing the punished paste
boards than he.
He could, though, turn down the
too persistent applicants for the
comps" in q style OF his own that
was so artistic that no offense could
be taken, and Bannie was still the
same good old scout" with the dis
appointed.
Frank Bancroft first became con-
nected with the national game in 1878.
in New Bedford, Mass, through the
inducements made to him by James
Mutrie. then manager OF the New Bed
ford club, of the New England
League. Frank was owner Of the
Bancroft House in that old New Eng
land city. The hotel was very popu-
lar with commercial travellers and
Franks reputation as a host became
widespread.
theatrical companies invariably
stopped with Frank, and finally he be-
came interested in theater in New
fotuIOTu- II was a suCCSssIul
and marked his initial connection with
thespians. His close association with
them he never lost and during many
winter months during his baseball
career he acted as business manager
for theatrical ventures.
Jim Mutrie and many of the players
OF the home club were guests at Ban
croft's hotel, and as the club failed to
make much money, possibly Mutrie
owed considerable for board. 1t is
also possible Bannie took stock in the
club In payment.
But Bancroft became a baseball
fan through the connection he formed
with the game then, and he has been
one ever since.
Forseeing the great future of the
game, Bancroft gave up business in
New Bedford and accepted the posi-
tion of manager of the Worcester
Mass. club in 1879. The club was a
member of the International League
that season and the team had on it's
roster such noted players as Arthur
Irwin, Charley Bennett, "ChuS" Sui
livan, Leon Knight George Wood and
others.
During that season, too. Bancroft
brought out the famous left-handed
pitcher Lee Richmond, of Brown Uni
versity. He was the pitching sensa-
tion Of the year. Richmond shut
out the noted White Stockings of
Chicago under Gap" Anson without
a hit or a run.
Worcester entered the National
League in 1880. Bancroft had made
a big reputation and was engaged
by the Providence club as manager.
In the fall of 1880. Bancroft took
the Providence Grays on a barn
storming trip through the West, and
In a game in Des Moines Uowa),
Charley Radbourne was the opposing
pitcher. His work was so impress
sive that Bancroft Immediately sign
ed him for the Grays.
Johnny Ward had Joined the Provi-
dcnce club in 1879 and was then with
the Grays. The grand pitching done
by him and Radbourne is baseball
history. Joe Start "Old Reliable" of
the old Mutuals. of New York city
was the firstbaseman of the Grays.
1t was in the winter of 1873,
think, that Bancroft took a team to
Havana, Cuba. 1t was due to that
trip that Bannie became known as
The Father of Cuban Baseball" It
was the first team of United States
players that ever played on the
Island.
On that team were Carry Foley.
pitcher, and Lew Brown, catcher. a
battery that was famous in New
England. Brown was catcher of the
Boston Red Stockings and was sa d
to have whipped John l.. Sullivan in
a rough and tumble fight.
Foley was a curve ball pitcher and
was the first to introduce the de-
livery in Cuba. He made a sensation
with his bender" the Cuban players
being unable to solve 1t.
. Big crowds attended the games In
Havana, so big In fact that the Span
lsh government, then In control OF
Cuba, sat up and took notice. 1t
slapped such an enormous tax on the
visitors that Bancroft found II con
venient to leave the island between
two suns.
The manager and team departed at
dead of night on n freight steamer
for Tampa Fla But they had
established Americas national game
In tho Pearl OF the Antilles, never
IL eless.
Bancroft has taken teams to
Havana many times since and is a
favorite with the Cuban baseball
fans.