Dave Bancroft is a Hall of Fame shortstop who played 16 seasons in the National League, for the Phils, Giants, Braves, and Dodgers The book, hardcover at 5.5x9", is "This Is the Life, " by Walt McDougall. It was a gift from the owner of the Boston Braves, Emil Fuchs, to Bancroft, his playing manager. Fuchs inscribed, "Dear Davey, The contents of this book reveal many characters of yesteryear. May ....your name be added among the present great. Faithfully yours Emil E. Fuchs, September 22, 1926." The Braves finished at 66-86 that year, in seventh place. The next year, with Bancroft still at the helm, the Braves won only 66 games and finished last. The Braves were financially struggling and the record was not  Bancroft's fault, but he was fired.