Sunday, July 21, 2013

Manager Dave Bancroft is cold cocked (June 18, 1927)



Generally Baseball isn’t too violent. There are some notable exceptions. On June 18, 1927, continuing a feud that dates back to Smith’s days with the Braves‚ Pirates Catcher Earl Smith decks Braves manager Dave Bancroft with a right to the jaw after they exchange words in the 7th inning.
Bancroft is carried off the field. Smith draws a $500 fine and 30-day suspension. 


The Pirates score 3 in the 1st led by Paul Waner’s 2-run triple en route to a 7-4 win. Waner extends his hitting streak to 21 games and 13 straight games with extra base hits. He’ll have a pair of doubles the next day.

So I wonder if Smith thought it was worth it. For someone who loves to play, probably not. On the up side, baseball officials have always been careful to “punish” violence very aggressively. Not like hockey I think.

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