Bama Rowell Explained

Bama Rowell
Position:Second baseman / Outfielder
Birth Date:13 January 1916
Birth Place:Citronelle, Alabama, U.S.
Death Place:Citronelle, Alabama, U.S.
Bats:Left
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:September 4
Debutyear:1939
Debutteam:Boston Bees
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:October 2
Finalyear:1948
Finalteam:Philadelphia Phillies
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.275
Stat2label:Home runs
Stat2value:19
Stat3label:Runs batted in
Stat3value:217
Teams:

Carvel William "Bama" Rowell (January 13, 1916 – August 16, 1993) was an American professional baseball player. In Major League Baseball, he was a second baseman and outfielder for the Boston Bees/Braves (1939–41 and 1946–47) and Philadelphia Phillies (1948). Rowell was a native and lifelong resident of Citronelle, Alabama. He batted left-handed, threw right-handed, stood 5feet tall and weighed .[1]

He finished 21st in voting for the National League Most Valuable Player for playing in 130 games and having 486 at bats, 46 runs scored, 148 hits, 19 doubles, eight triples, three home runs, 58 runs batted in, 12 stolen bases, 18 walks, .305 batting average, .331 on-base percentage, .395 slugging percentage, 192 total bases and three sacrifice hits.[1]

In six MLB seasons Rowell played in 574 games and had 1,901 at bats, 200 runs scored, 523 hits, 95 doubles, 26 triples, 19 home runs, 217 runs batted in, 37 stolen bases, 113 walks, a .275 batting average, a .316 on-base percentage, and a .382 slugging percentage, with 727 total bases and 27 sacrifice hits.[1]

On May 30, 1946 at 4:25 P.M., Rowell hit a home run which broke the Bulova clock on the Ebbets Field scoreboard, shattering the clock's glass. The clock stopped exactly one hour later. Although Bulova promised a free watch to anyone who hit the clock, Rowell didn't receive his watch until 41 years later, on Bama Rowell day in Citronelle.[2] [3] [4]

On March 6, 1948, Rowell was involved in a key trade for the Braves. He was swapped to the Brooklyn Dodgers with first baseman Ray Sanders and $40,000 for second baseman Eddie Stanky.[5] Although Rowell spent only eleven days with Brooklyn before being sold to the Phillies on March 17,[6] Stanky helped lead Boston to its first National League pennant since .

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bama Rowell . Baseball-reference.com . Baseball Reference . 29 December 2019.
  2. Book: Lowry, Philip . Green Cathedrals . 2006 . Walker & Company . 978-0-8027-1608-8 . 40 .
  3. News: Higbe 5-Hitter Stops Braves, 5-0, Then Dodgers Drop 10-8 Decision – Biggest Ebbets Field Crowd of Year, 36,854 Sees Boston Score 7 Runs in 2d Inning of Nightcap – Brooks Hold Lead Over Cards. December 29, 2019 . The New York Times . May 31, 1946. 15.
  4. News: Thomas Jr. . Robert McG. . Lloyd . Barbara . Time Catches Up . December 29, 2019 . The New York Times . August 3, 1987. C2.
  5. News: McGowen . Roscoe . Stanky of Dodgers Traded to Braves for Sanders, Cash – Brooklyn Gets First Baseman and an Undisclosed Sum for Eddie, Who Has Pneumonia – Deal Comes As Surprise – Durocher Selects Miksis for Second – Robinson Stil at First, Manager Declares . 29 December 2019 . The New York Times . March 7, 1948. S1.
  6. News: Rowell Goes to Phils – Rickey Allowed Outfielder to Make Deal for Himself . 29 December 2019 . The New York Times . Associated Press . March 19, 1948.