Bill Bowman

William George Bowman

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
• Height 5' 11", Weight 180 lb.

• Debut June 18, 1891
• Final Game August 5, 1891
• Born January 23, 1867 in Chicago, IL USA
• Died December 28, 1944 in Chicago, IL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Bill Bowman was one of a number of catchers used by the 1891 Chicago Colts, playing 15 games with a batting average of .089. Also in 1891, he played for the Rochester Hop Bitters, a team which also featured Cannonball Titcomb.

In 1939, Bowman joined a group of old-time Chicago ballplayers who gathered to honor the great Honus Wagner and were featured in a picture printed by the Chicago Tribune. That fact contradicted Bowman's listed death date of 1918. Further research by SABR managed to identify the real Bowman, who in fact lived until 1944. The son of John and Mary Bowman, he worked as a salesman in his brother's clothing store for most of his life, a fact that was noted by some newspapers at the time he was playing. He spent all of his life in Chicago, and died and was buried there in Rosehill Cemetery.

Further Reading

• "Billy Bowman Found", in Bill Carle, ed.: Biographical Research Committee Report, SABR, July/August 2009, p. 1.