A news article from around 1891 describing the acquisition of Sumner Salade Bowman (1867-1954) of Millersburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, as a pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics baseball team. The article featured a line drawing portrait of Sumner S. Bowman, shown above, in which he was erroneously identified as Simon Salade Bowman and Samuel S. Bowman.
Among the Professionals
The Millersburg Boy Who is now Pitching for the Athletics, of the American Association
Just now our young townsman, Samuel S. Bowman, occupies a conspicuous position in professional baseball circles. The Philadelphia Press of Tuesday says:
Bowman first played on the Dickinson Seminary team as a catcher. In ’89 he was left fielder for the University of Pennsylvania nine. In ’90 and ’91 he pitched for the University of Pennsylvania team and with great success, beating Princeton, Yale, Brown, and the other crack teams. In two games combined this year Princeton acquired but six hits, and was beaten on each occasion. Since the college season closed, Bowman has been mowing down his opponents at Cape May — last year Bowman signed with the Pittsburgh team of the National League. The only game the Pittsburgh won off the Phillies during the entire season was won by Bowman. The next game he beat the New Yorks, holding them down to four hits. Then he held the Bostons down to —– —– he was taken sick, and being unable to pitch was released.
Bowman made his first appearance in an Athletic uniform against Louisville yesterday, and as he stepped into the box was given an ovation, the applause continuing almost throughout the game, as inning after inning he retired the visitors. He had speed and excellent command of the ball, and that his club lost was through no fault of his. As the game progressed he seamed to weaken, as Louisville made six of their seven hist in the last three innings. Bowman was steadiness itself, the only battery error chargeable to him being a batsman hit, and he could have avoided it had he been so disposed. It is said to discredit that he holds a batted ball too long before throwing to the first baseman.
Bowman is left handed, has good speed, a command of the ball, and is a good hitter. His bating average in eight games in the league last year was .319. He is also a very fast and sure outfielder.
In another brief article, a mention is made of Bowman as having been told to report to the Athletics:
The Athletics New Pitchers
J. Earl Wagner is hustling around for new pitchers. Last night he wired Bowman, of Cape May, Hays of the Demorests, of Williamsport, and O’Connor of the University of Vermont to report. O’Connor replied he would report, but the other men had not been heard from at a late hour. All three men have been pitching good ball this year.
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Article from a public tree on Ancestry.com.
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