Bob Hartman

From BR Bullpen

Robert Louis Hartman

Bats Right, Throws Left
Height 5' 11", Weight 185 lb.
Debut April 26, 1959
Final Game July 8, 1962
Born August 28, 1937 in Kenosha, WI USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Lefty pitcher Bob Hartman was signed out of high school in Kenosha, WI, by the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent on July 13, 1955. The seventeen year old was assigned to the Beaumont Exporters of the tough AA Texas League and came out of his first year under fire with a 3-5 record while appearing in 16 games. It didn't get any easier as the youngster was sent to the AAA Wichita Braves in 1956 and appeared in only 12 games, coming out with a 1-2 record. In 1957 Hartman found himself in the Southern Association, possibly the toughest AA league going, with the Atlanta Crackers who in 1957 won both the league and playoff titles and Robert contributed four wins to his teams success.

Hartman would be back with the Crackers in 1958 and would win 20 and lose but 10 with a 2.94 ERA. The 20 victories tied him with Bill Harrington and Jim O'Toole for the leagues winningest pitchers. Bob's 233 innings pitched and his ERA total were a career best for him. This kind of performance opened the doors of Milwaukees County Stadium in 1959 for Bob and he got into three games with no decisions, was hit hard and wound up with the AA Louisville Colonels where he hitched up his pants with the colonels and went 10-3 with a 3.36 ERA for the remainder of the 1959 season.

Hartman would be with Louisville in 1960 and 1961 going 13-12 for the colonels and spend the late part of the 61 season with the Vancouver Mounties of the Pacific Coast League going 3-1. Not seeing much playing time anywhere Bob would wind up being traded to the Cleveland Indians for Ken Aspromonte and cash. Bob would make eight appearances for the Indians lose his only decision and this would mark the end of his major league time with an 0-1 record and a 3.12 ERA in 11 games. The left-hander would finish up 1962 with Louisville going 6-5 with a 3.48 ERA and show up with the Jacksonville Suns of the International League in 1963 making 5 appearances with no decisions and decided it was time to go home. He finished up his nine year minor league career with 58 wins and 51 losses with a 3.73 ERA, appearing in 223 games.

Hartman went back to his native Kenosha, WI where he became a long-time sports director for a Christian Youth Center.