Frank Barnes (barnefr02)

From BR Bullpen

Frank Barnes

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 0", Weight 170 lb.

Debut September 22, 1957
Final Game May 4, 1960
Born August 26, 1926 in Longwood, MS USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Frank Barnes started out at the age of 18 with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League in 1947. He was with the Kansas City Monarchs before being purchased along with Elston Howard by the New York Yankees.

He was never able to reach the majors until late 1957 when he was brought up by the St. Louis Cardinals. This was just after his 2.40 ERA for the Omaha Cardinals led the American Association. He also led the league with six shutouts while setting another league record by hurling 41 consecutive shutout innings.

Frank, who threw a no-hitter for the Oklahoma City Indians of the Texas League in 1955, had a second no-hitter while with Omaha in 1958.

He was with with the Cardinals long enough that year to win his only big league game in four decisions and to be used as a pinch-runner for Stan Musial following "the Man"'s 3,000th career base hit.

He had one last brief stint with the 1960 Cardinals before pitching for several more years in the Mexican League. He was up only for 15 major league games over a period of 3 short seasons, winning 1 and losing 3 and pitching only 37 innings with a 5.89 ERA.

His minor league work sheet, minus the five years he spent in the Mexican League, show twelve years, building a record of 109 wins with 83 losses, appearing in 316 games, pitching 1,619 innings, giving up 1,437 base hits while walking 836 for a good 3.89 ERA.

In Mexico, he went 58-31 from 1963-1967 with a 2.33 ERA, all for the Reynosa Broncos. At age 38 in 1966, he completed 20 of 25 starts. In 1965, his .762 winning percentage (13-5) led the Mexican League. His 1.58 ERA also paced the circuit. He is third all-time in Mexican League history in ERA for pitchers with 500+ innings, trailing only Mike Nagy (2.01) and Mike Paul (2.06). He also was 10th in winning percentage for pitchers with 500+ innings through 2000.

Not counting the Negro Leagues, he was 168-117 in professional baseball.

He is now retired in Greenville, MS, where he has owned a pool hall and a liquor store. As of this date (November 2008) he would be 82 years old.