Joe Bauman
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Joe Willis Bauman (April 16, 1922 - September 20, 2005) was an American first baseman in professional baseball who played primarily in the low minor leagues, including the American Association, the Eastern League, and the Southwestern League. He is best remembered for his time with the Roswell Rockets, for whom in 138 games in 1954, he hit 35 doubles, 3 triples, and 72 home runs, the latter being a record that stood throughout pro ball until it was topped in 2001.
Born in Welch, Oklahoma, Bauman debuted in pro ball with Newport in the Northeast Arkansas League. Hitting only three home runs in 59 games with Newport, he also went 0-10 when he was called up to Little Rock in the Southern Association. During the winter, when World War II began, Bauman played semi-pro ball in 1942, and was in the service from 1943 to 1945.
Upon his return, Bauman settled in with Amarillo in the West Texas-New Mexico League. He led the circuit with 48 home runs, 159 rbi and a .301 batting average. In the following season, his home run totals went down, but his production went up. He hit just 38 homers, but he hit .350 and drew 151 walks, and was signed by the Boston Braves.
In 1948, Bauman played in the Braves organization, going 0 for 1 in Class AAA, and posting fair stats in Class AA (.275, 55 BB, 10 HR in 276 AB), while splitting time with Ray Sanders. It was Bauman's only time outside of the high minors, and left it inconclusive as to whether he could play in the majors or not. He did not enjoy his time, however, and left organized ball in 1949 for three years.
At 30, Bauman knew he was through with the major leagues, but still wanting to play, he joined up with the Class C Longhorn League for 1952, signing with Artesia. In that year, his triple crown stats were .375-50-157, good enough to lead the league in homers, RBI, and walks (148). The next year, he led the league in walks (130), runs (135), and home runs (53), while maintaining a high average. After the season, he moved to Roswell.
In 1954, Bauman broke out (if one can break out from a 53-home run season), winning the triple crown and leading the league in runs and walks for Roswell. His totals were eyepopping. In 138 games, he had 199 hits in 498 at bats for a .400 average. He hit 35 doubles, 3 triples, and 72 home runs, a record that stood for pro ball until Barry Bonds topped it in 2001. He also drove in 228 runs, and walked 150 times.
Bauman could not duplicate his 1954 season in 1955, hitting only 46 home runs, and batted .336. The following season, he played just 52 games and hit 17 homers. He retired in 1956 at age, 34. The career ledger for Joe Bauman reads 1,019 games, 982 runs, 1,166 hits, 337 home runs, 1,057 rbi, 974 walks, and a .337 batting average. He was a true legend on a small stage.
After his baseball career, Bauman ran a service station in Roswell, which he had started operating during the last years of his playing career. He died on September 20, 2005 in Roswell.
[edit] Reference
- Baseball's Forgotten Heroes by Tony Salin
