Bowa is really kind of overlooked these days when it comes to his playing days, taking home a couple of Gold Gloves and being named to five All-Star games during the 1970’s.
He was part of a resurgent Philadelphia Phillies team that also had guys like Steve Carlton, Mike Schmidt, Dave cash and Greg Luzinski, helping the organization head to the post-season for the first time since 1950.
It’s funny to think that Bowa was given a nickname like “Gnat”, or even “Pee Wee” considering the man was 5’10” tall. In my neighborhood of Italian-Americans at the time of his playing days that made you one of the taller dudes!
Nevertheless, by the time Bowa hung up the cleats after 16-years, he finished with over 2000 hits, 300 stolen bases and just under 1000 runs scored.
I loved his time as a coach for the New York Yankees, and to be honest I was hoping he’d be the guy to take over for Joe Torre back in 2008, the gig that eventually went to Joe Girardi.
Oh well.