Frank Bell

Frank Gustav Bell

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
• Height 6' 0"

• Debut July 7, 1885
• Final Game July 31, 1885
• Born December 11, 1862 in Cincinnati, OH USA
• Died April 14, 1891 in Cincinnati, OH USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Frank Bell was the brother of pitcher Charlie Bell. He appeared in 10 games in the summer of 1885 for the Brooklyn Grays at three different positions. Then, in 1889, he umpired three games in the American Association. He died before he was 30 after being shot by a barkeeper during an altercation following a card game. Bell was upset over the fact that he lost everything he bet in the game to the barkeeper, identified as Joseph Hughes, and proceeded to swipe the cards off the table before punching and kicking Hughes multiple times, throwing a chair at him, and eventually pulling a gun on him which prompted Hughes to shoot out of fear for his life.

A drawing from the Cincinnati Post, April 14, 1891, depicting Bell's death

The Sporting Life of August 27, 1884 indicated that the 1884 St. Louis Maroons had signed a "young St. Louis amateur catcher" named Frank Bell. This Bell never played for the Maroons. It is not completely clear if this is the same Frank Bell - although the major league Frank Bell was from Cincinnati, OH, the record is incomplete as to whether he played in St. Louis in 1884.

Related Sites

• Frank Bell at the SABR Bio Project