Books and articles about Frank Bowerman

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Although overshadowed by Wilbert Robinson and Boileryard Clarke at Baltimore, and by Roger Bresnahan in New York, dour Frank was a capable backstop and the first to catch young Christy Mathewson. He also played 132 games at first, and a few at every other position, including one inning of pitching. Sent to Boston in the 1907 trade for Fred Tenney, he spent half a season managing the Doves. (ADS)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » May 17, 1903: Ed Doheny outpitches Joe McGinnity, allowing just six Giants hits to give the Pirates a 3-2 win. Doheny also earns a 3-day suspension when, after hitting a popup in front of the plate, tosses his bat at Frank Bowerman while the big catcher is attempting to catch the fly. » June 2, 1903: With Honus Wagner filling in for ailing manager Fred Clarke, reportedly recuperating from a nervous breakdown, the Pirates beat the Giants, 7-0. Deacon Phillippe goes all the way, striking out eight batters, including the side in the 5th. Wagner is 3-for-5 for the Buccaneers. Frank Bowerman is tossed out for protesting calls. » June 26, 1903: Before the start of the Giants-Pirates showdown Giants catcher Frank Bowerman starts a fight with Pirates player-manager Fred Clarke in the Giants office. While the cause of the brawl is unclear, Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss reports it to the NL offices and Bowerman is fined $100. Clarke gets no fine, but does take home a black eye. Christy Mathewson then pitches his 5th victory over Pittsburgh, defeating them 8-2, and beating Sam Leever. Sam Mertes, who will lead the NL in doubles and RBIs, doubles home three runs in the 5th. » August 3, 1904: Christy Mathewson takes 4–0 lead into the 9th against the Cubs, but after an out, he is rattled for four hits, and a error to make the margin, 4–3. Shad Berry, on 1B with two out, then tries to steal and is gunned down by Frank Bowerman to end the match. The Giants are now 63-24. » August 31, 1904: In a rowdy 3–2, 11-inning Giants win in Cincinnati, ump Charley Zimmer tosses McGann and Dahlen for arguing a safe call for the Reds. The high point comes in the 6th when New York catcher Frank Bowerman slugs a fan, a music teacher named Albert Hartzell, who has been heckling him. Police escort the catcher from the field. Bowerman will be released from custody tomorrow when the fan drops the charges. The Giants win the 2nd game as well, 4–1, in seven innings, with the game shortened to allow the Giants to catch a train for New York. The Giants leave Cincinnati with a 15-game lead over Chicago in the National League. » September 23, 1904: The Giants sleepwalk against the Pirates ("Pittsburg Plays All By Itself" is the NY Herald headline) as Red Ames allows three runs in eight innings before John McGraw pulls him. His replacement is Frank Bowerman who gives up four runs in his only ML inning. The Pirates win, 7-0. » June 24, 1905: At the Polo Grounds, the Giants beat Boston, 2–1, in 12 innings, with Christy Mathewson getting the win. With two outs in the 12th, Matty hits a flyball to CF Rip Cannell, who drops the ball. Catcher Frank Bowerman, on 1B, chugs around with the winning run. Irv Young is the unfortunate loser. » July 25, 1905: Christy Mathewson wins his 16th, defeating the Reds, 7-2. The game was close until Frank Bowerman belts a 3-run homer in the 8th for the Giants. Cincy fans get a scare in the 1st inning when Reds C Ed Phelps is knocked unconscious when he struck by the back swing of Sam Mertes. Phelps is rushed to a hospital. » August 23, 1907: The Pirates top the Giants 4-2 in 10 innings, then win the 2nd game, 1-0, when Howie Camnitz spins a 5-inning no-hitter. The Bucs score when Ed Abbaticchio singles home Honus Wagner, who had singled and stolen 2B. The Giants also lose Frank Bowerman, hit on the head by a Camnitz pitch. The doctors predict that the burly catcher will miss the season, but he is back in action in three days. » October 7, 1907: Friction between his catchers and the need to strengthen the Giants infield prompt John McGraw to trade Frank Bowerman, along with Bill Dahlen, Dan McGann, George Browne, and Cecil Ferguson to Boston for young SS Al Bridwell, veteran 1B and recently fired manager Fred Tenney, and reserve C Tom Needham. » April 30, 1908: In the 9th inning at Boston, the Braves are tied 2-2 with the Giants. With runners on 1B and 2B, Boston's Frank Bowerman hits a Doc Crandall pitch into the stands, but is credited with only a double in the 3-2 win.