Bowman was signed by the New York Giants before the 1946 season. He appeared in games for the Giants in 1949, 1951, and 1952, and he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1953 and 1955. He had a career win–loss record of 2–11 in the major leagues.[1] Most of Bowman's professional baseball career was spent in the minor leagues, where he played from 1946 to 1961, winning 131 games and losing 119 overall.[2]
Bowman joined the Hollywood Stars in 1954, as he posted a 22–13 record with a 2.51 ERA and 165 strikeouts in 258+1⁄3 of work, leading the PCL in wins and games started (37).[5] He then pitched a seven-inning perfect game against the Portland Beavers on the final day of the season to give his team a tie for the pennant race with the San Diego Padres, who then won a one-game playoff.[4][6]
During his playing days, Bowman completed an arts degree at Colgate University and later completed an education degree at the University of California, Los Angeles. After baseball, Bowman operated an upholstery business in Santa Monica for 45 years. He died in Los Angeles in 1997 at the age of 69.[4]
