The New York herald., 1921-01-19
BANCROFT SIGNS
HIS 1924 CONTRACT
Crack Player at Head of the
Giants Procession at Ac-
cepting Terms.
MISSING PAPER TURNS UP
Cubs Wouldn't Sign 1t Until
National Agreement Was an
Accomplished Fact.
MISSING PAPER TURNS UP
BY WILLIAM II. HANNA.

The first of the 1921 signed con-
tracts of the Giants is that of Dave Ban
croft. whose work with that team last
year revealed him as the fastest ma
tional League shortstop. In leading the
procession at accepting terms he dldn
lose any more time than he does gong
after q fly ball. so he must be satisfied
with the terms.
Bancroft played slashing ball Tor the
Giants from the moment they got him
from the Phillies in exchange Tor Arthur
Fletcher Before the season was over
the added strength he brought helped In
the long squirt which brought them from
the ruck to second place. He ranked
second in fielding among the shortstops,
with more total chances accepted than
any other man in that position, and ne
batted .299.
No Yankee contracts for the coming
season have gone out yet. Clubs nave
until February to get them to players,
and the Yankee management doesn't
seem to be in any hurry.
A curious twist in connection with the
new national agreement and proceedings
preceding 1t has been brought to light.
On October Is last the eight National
League clubs and the New York, Boston
and Chicago American League clubs
reached an agreement for twelve ciup
league, this after 1t looked as IL the other
American League clubs wouldn't accept
the Lasker plan All of which is mat
ter of history.
On November IL the sixteen major
league clubs signed their agreement for
peace, the loyal five having signified
their heartfelt desire to come in out OIL
the wet and accept what was In erect
the Lasker plan. 1t then became neces-
sary to dissolve the twelve CLUB league
agreement, which by arrangement was
dissolvable only by the consent OF the
eight National League parties ther-to
and one of the three signing Aiieiio'in
League clubs.
A paper unscrambling the twelve club
pact was started on its rounds for the
requisite signatures. 1t was started, put
somewhere en- route 1T went astray. IL
disappeared and all trace of 1t was lost.
Its whereabouts became a mystery. The
mystery was not solved until last week
in Chicago. after the American as well
as the National League had signed the
national agreement and the CONTRACT
with Judge Lands had been signed.
Then and not until then did the re-
lease from the twelve club project re-
appear. 1t had been reposng in the
safe OF the Chicago National League
club. The Cubs officials weren't taking
any chances. They weren't signing the
abrogating agreement until 1t was set
tied positively that Judge Landis was
in and the national agreement signed.
sealed and delivered. Not until their
signature was affixed to the abrogation
thereof did twelve club league cease
to be possibility as live issue; and
the Cubs, by hanging TO the document,
saw to 1t that such was the case.
They're making 1t very hard for Babe
Ruth this year-seventy-five home runs
Ruth accomplished a phenomenal feat
last year with fifty-four home runs The
question isn't whether he'll make more
than. but whether he'll make that many.
II he makes more all right, and IL he
makes fifty or forty he'll be doing re-
markably well. Why work expectation
I'D to a point it isn't likely to reach?
II isn't fair to the player. II puts too
much burden on him.