Frank Wickware facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frank Wickware |
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: March 8, 1888 Coffeyville, Kansas |
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| Died: November 2, 1967 (aged 79) Schenectady, New York |
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| debut | |||
| 1909, for the Dallas Giants | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1925, for the New York Lincoln Giants | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Frank Wickware (born March 8, 1888, died November 2, 1967) was a talented baseball pitcher. People called him "Rawhide" and "The Red Ant." He played in the Negro leagues from 1909 to 1925. These leagues were for African American players when they were not allowed to play in Major League Baseball.
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Frank Wickware's Amazing Pitching Skills
Many people thought Frank Wickware was an incredible pitcher. In 1915, an article said he was as good as famous white pitchers like Walter Johnson. Another article from 1914 reported that Wickware struck out about 11 players in each game. In two games in a row, he struck out an amazing 34 batters!
Wickware's Special Curveball Pitch
Frank Wickware was known for his special curveball. This pitch looked like it was going to hit the batter. But his control was so good that the ball would curve right over the plate. Batters would often jump out of the way, only to see the ball land perfectly for a strike. He was very accurate and never hit a batter in the head.
Life Off the Baseball Field
Frank Wickware was married twice. His first wife, Dottie, sometimes traveled with his team. Later, he married Elizabeth McCann on May 18, 1915, in Chicago. Elizabeth also traveled with him on a trip to California that same year.
Serving His Country
When he was 29 years old, Frank Wickware signed up for the World War I Draft. He listed his birthplace as Girard, Kansas. At that time, he lived in Chicago, Illinois. He told them his job was a baseball player for the Chicago American Giants team. He also said he was married and supported both his wife and his mother.
A Baseball Legend Remembered
Even many years after he played, Frank Wickware was still remembered for his skills. In 1952, when he was 64, he received votes in a special poll. This poll was run by the Pittsburgh Courier newspaper. Players from the Negro leagues voted for the best players of all time. This showed how much respect his fellow players had for him.
