Frank Wickware

Frank Wickware (March 8, 1888 in Coffeyville, Kansas – November 2, 1967 in Schenectady, New York), nicknamed "Rawhide" and "The Red Ant", was a baseball pitcher in the Negro Leagues from 1909 to 1925.

Frank Wickware
Pitcher
Born: (1888-03-08)March 8, 1888
Coffeyville, Kansas
Died: November 2, 1967(1967-11-02) (aged 79)
Schenectady, New York
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
1909, for the Dallas Giants
Last appearance
1925, for the New York Lincoln Giants
Teams

In a nationally syndicated article written in 1915, it was said that Wickware "is another negro pitcher who would rank with the Walter Johnsons, Joe Woods or Grover Alexanders if he were a white man."[4] In the previous year, another article announced Wickware was striking out an average of 11 players per game, and in two games in a row struck out 34 batters.[3]

Wickware's signature pitch seems to be a curveball that appeared to be a beanball, but "his control is so perfect" that it was said he never "hit a batter in the head." But batters would jump away from the plate, only to have his curveball arch into place over the plate.[4]

His first wife Dottie[5] traveled with the team. However, Wickware married again, Elizabeth McCann on May 18, 1915 in Chicago. His new wife followed him on a trip to California that year.[6]

Wickware registered for the WWI Draft at the age of 29. He lists his birthplace as Girard, Kansas. And he lists his current address as 3450 Wabash in Chicago, Illinois. Wickware lists his occupation as base ball player, working for the American Giants of Chicago. He is listed as married and claims his wife and mother as dependents.[7]

At age 64, Wickware received votes listing him on the 1952 Pittsburgh Courier player-voted poll of the Negro Leagues' best players ever.[8]

References
  1. "Diamond Dashes" Indianapolis Freeman, Indianapolis, IN, Saturday, August 27, 1910, Page 4, Columns 5 and 6
  2. "Brooklyn Giants Win" The Washington Herald, Washington, DC, Thursday, May 8, 1913, Page 8, Column 3
  3. "Mohawks Play A.B.C.'s" Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, IN, Sunday, July 12, 1914, Page 3, Column 7
  4. "Color Line Loses 3 Great Pitchers to Major Leagues", Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, June 9, 1915, p. 7
  5. "Notes of the Game" Indianapolis Freeman, Indianapolis, Indiana, Saturday, July 18, 1914, Page 4, Column 6
  6. Society of American Baseball Research Bio written by Stephen V. Rice
  7. "WWI Draft Registration for Frank Ellis Wickware," Precinct 35, Ward 2, Chicago, Illinois, Date Unknown
  8. "1952 Pittsburgh Courier Poll of Greatest Black Players"
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