Frank Bolling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frank Bolling |
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Bolling, circa 1959
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| Second baseman | |||
| Born: November 16, 1931 Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |
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| Died: July 11, 2020 (aged 88) Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 13, 1954, for the Detroit Tigers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 15, 1966, for the Atlanta Braves | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .254 | ||
| Home runs | 106 | ||
| Runs batted in | 556 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Francis Elmore Bolling (November 16, 1931 – July 11, 2020) was an American baseball player. He was a second baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB). Frank played for the Detroit Tigers and the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves. His career lasted from 1954 until 1966. He batted and threw with his right hand. Frank was also the younger brother of shortstop Milt Bolling.
Frank Bolling joined the Detroit Tigers in 1951. He was an amateur free agent, meaning he was not drafted by a team. He played for four of their smaller teams, called minor league affiliates. In 1954, the Tigers brought him up to the major leagues. After serving in the military in 1955, he played five more seasons with the Tigers. Later, he was traded to the Milwaukee Braves. This team moved to Atlanta in 1966. That year was his last season playing baseball. He played his final game on September 15, 1966.
Early Life and Beginnings
Frank Bolling was born in Mobile, Alabama, on November 16, 1931. He went to McGill–Toolen Catholic High School. After high school, he studied at Spring Hill College. The Detroit Tigers signed him as an amateur free agent in June 1951.
A Career in Baseball
Bolling started playing in the major leagues in 1954 with the Detroit Tigers. He played six seasons with them. Then, in 1961, he moved to the Milwaukee Braves. He was still with the Braves when the team moved to Atlanta in 1966.
Frank Bolling was known as a very good defensive second baseman. This means he was excellent at stopping hits and making outs. From 1957 to 1959, he hit about 14 home runs each year. His best year for home runs was 1957, when he hit 15.
His most successful season was 1958. That year, he had his highest numbers for hits (164), doubles (27), runs, and RBIs (75). RBIs mean "runs batted in," which is when a player's hit helps a teammate score a run.
In 1958, Frank also won the Gold Glove Award. This award goes to the best defensive players in baseball. He won it because he had the best fielding percentage among second basemen in the American League. Fielding percentage shows how often a player makes a play without an error.
During the same season, his brother Milt was traded to the Detroit Tigers. This made the Bollings one of only four pairs of brothers in baseball history. They played the "keystone combination" together. This means one brother played second base and the other played shortstop for the same team.
Later Years and Achievements
After the 1960 season, Bolling was traded to the Braves. He was traded for another player named Bill Bruton. In 1961, 1962, and 1964, Bolling led the National League second basemen in fielding. He was chosen for the National League All-Star team in 1961 and 1962. He was also named to The Sporting News NL All-Star Team in 1961.
In 1965, his second-to-last season, Bolling hit his only grand slam. A grand slam is a home run hit when all three bases are loaded with runners. This means four runs score on one hit! He hit it off famous pitcher Sandy Koufax on September 22. This was also the last game the Braves played in Milwaukee before moving to Atlanta.
Frank Bolling played his last major league game on September 15, 1966. He was almost 35 years old. The Braves released him from the team in October of that year.
Frank Bolling finished his career with a .254 batting average. This number shows how often a player gets a hit. He also had 106 home runs and 556 runs batted in (RBI). He played in 1,540 games played. He only ever played second base. His career fielding mark was .982, which is very high.
After Baseball
The road that Hank Aaron Stadium is on is called Bolling Brothers Boulevard. It is named to honor Frank Bolling and his brother Milt. In May 2019, Frank was added to the Milwaukee Braves' Wall of Honor at Miller Park.
Frank Bolling passed away on July 11, 2020, at 88 years old. He had been battling cancer for four years before his death.
