Bob Bowman (outfielder)

Robert Leroy Bowman (May 10, 1930 – January 27, 2017) was an American professional baseball right fielder and pinch hitter, who played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies (1955–1959). Late in his career, Bowman saw action as a relief pitcher, as well. He batted and threw right-handed, standing 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and weighing 195 lb (88 kg), during his playing days.

For the pitcher, see Bob Bowman (pitcher).
Bob Bowman
Outfielder
Born: (1930-05-10)May 10, 1930
Laytonville, California
Died: January 27, 2017(2017-01-27) (aged 86)
San Jose, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 16, 1955, for the Philadelphia Phillies
Last MLB appearance
September 18, 1959, for the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB statistics
Batting average.249
Home runs17
Runs batted in54
Win–loss record0–1
Earned run average6.00
Teams

Bowman attended Abraham Lincoln High School (San Jose, California) and played right field for the Phillies from 1955 to 1958 and was noted for his strong throwing arm. The Phillies briefly tried converting Bowman to pitcher in 1959 when they were short arms in the bull pen. He made his first appearance pitching against the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 28.[1] Bowman's first pitch was hit out by Smoky Burgess, but Bowman went on to pitch the rest of the game with two scoreless innings. He appeared six times overall in the majors. His only decision came on September 18, his final appearance in the major leagues, losing to the Chicago Cubs, 5–4, with Alvin Dark hitting a RBI double to score the winning run in the bottom of the 13th inning.[2] When he returned to the minor leagues in 1960, he also returned to the outfield, pitching just four more times. Bowman holds two major league records with the highest pinch hitting batting average in 1958 and most pitching appearances as a position player with six appearances in 1959.

Bowman died in 2017 in San Jose, California, at the age of 86.[3]

References
  1. "Law Shuts Out Phillies On Five Singles, 9-0". The Washington Observer. Washington, Pennsylvania. Associated Press (AP). August 29, 1959. p. 16. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  2. "Sep 18, 1959, Phillies at Cubs Play by Play and Box Score". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. September 18, 1959. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  3. "Robert Leroy Bowman 1930 – 2017". Mercury News. San Jose, California. January 31, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.


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