Ed Bowman

Ed Bowman, Hall of Fame Athlete
Ed Bowman, Hall of Fame Athlete
Edwin James Bowman’s baseball career began at Santa Barbara High School as a three-year varsity standout. Leading the team in hitting and winning the Eddie Mathews Batting Award for three consecutive years, Bowman also garnered a second-team All-Channel League honor in his sophomore year and first-team honors in his junior and senior seasons. His senior year also saw him named to the first-team All-CIF roster as a third baseman.

The summer after his senior year, Bowman, drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, chose to sign on for a full-ride baseball scholarship to the University of Southern California. Playing on the Trojan varsity squad in his sophomore and junior seasons, Bowman was a member of USC’s 1972 and 1973 National Championship teams. He was named the team’s Most Valuable Player in 1973.

Drafted after college by the St. Loui s Cardinals, Bowman played two and a half years in the Cards’ A and AA programs. He was named the Most Inspirational and awarded the team sportsmanship crown in AA ball.

Graduating from Santa Barbara High in 1970, USC in 1973 and playing pro ball until 1975, Bowman cites his proudest achievement as being able to compete and play at USC with a team that sent eight players to start in the big leagues .

Bowman lives in Los Olivos , California, with Barbara, his wife of 28 years. They have five children, Sarah (26), Rachel (23), Eric (20), Courtney ( 17) and Aaron (9). Gene “Punky” Bowman will present his son with tonight’s award.