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by | Dec 19, 2023 | Verbena

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Frank Wickware (March 18, 1888 – November 2, 1967), nicknamed "Rawhide" and "The Red Ant", was a baseball pitcher in the Negro leagues from 1909 to 1925.

In a nationally syndicated article written in 1915, it was said that Wickware "is another negro pitcher who would rank with the Walter Johnsons, Joe Woods or Grover Alexanders if he were a white man."[4] In the previous year, another article announced Wickware was striking out an average of 11 players per game, and in two games in a row struck out 34 batters.[3]

Wickware's signature pitch seems to be a curveball that appeared to be a beanball, but "his control is so perfect" that it was said he never "hit a batter in the head." But batters would jump away from the plate, only to have his curveball arch into place over the plate.[4]

His first wife Dottie[6] traveled with the team. However, Wickware married again, Elizabeth McCann on May 18, 1915, in Chicago. His new wife followed him on a trip to California that year.[7]

Wickware registered for the WWI Draft at the age of 29. He lists his birthplace as Girard, Kansas. He lists his current address as 3450 Wabash in Chicago, Illinois. Wickware lists his occupation as a baseball player, working for the American Giants of Chicago. He is listed as married and claims his wife and mother as dependents.[8]

At age 64, Wickware received votes listing him on the 1952 Pittsburgh Courier player-voted poll of the Negro leagues' best players ever.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Diamond Dashes" Indianapolis Freeman, Indianapolis, IN, Saturday, August 27, 1910, Page 4, Columns 5 and 6
  2. ^ "Brooklyn Giants Win" The Washington Herald, Washington, DC, Thursday, May 8, 1913, Page 8, Column 3
  3. ^ a b "Mohawks Play A.B.C.'s" Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, IN, Sunday, July 12, 1914, Page 3, Column 7
  4. ^ a b c d "Color Line Loses 3 Great Pitchers to Major Leagues", Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, June 9, 1915, p. 7
  5. ^ ""News of the Sporting World"" (PDF). The Freeman, Indianapolis, Indiana June 11, 1910 Page 4, Column 4
  6. ^ "Notes of the Game" Indianapolis Freeman, Indianapolis, Indiana, Saturday, July 18, 1914, Page 4, Column 6
  7. ^ Society of American Baseball Research Bio written by Stephen V. Rice
  8. ^ "WWI Draft Registration for Frank Ellis Wickware," Precinct 35, Ward 2, Chicago, Illinois, Date Unknown
  9. ^ "1952 Pittsburgh Courier Poll of Greatest Black Players"
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