Frank Wickware

Born in Coffeyville in 1888, Frank Wickware was a star right-handed pitcher and gate attraction, prompting him to move from team to team to cash in on his success. From 1910-25, he played for 16 teams and also served in World War I.

Wickware brought his blazing fastball to Chicago in 1909, pitching for Rube Foster’s Leland Giants.  He quickly became ace of the staff and fashioned an 18-1 record. 

Often called “the black Walter Johnson,” Wickware dueled Johnson in exhibitions.  Johnson, who was born in Humboldt, made his home in Coffeyville, so the two pitchers had a natural connection.

Wickware outpitched Johnson in two of their three meetings, one occurring in October of 1913 in Schenectady, New York.  Wickware’s Schenectady Mohawk Giants faced Johnson and a team of minor league players.  Both pitchers performed well, with Wickware winning a 1-0 game that was called after five innings because of darkness.

Wickware’s fastball began to fade in 1917.  The next year, he began two years of military service.  Though he came back to pitch for several teams, he wasn’t the star he once was.  He briefly served as manager in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1930.

After leaving baseball, Wickware lived in Schenectady, where he died in 1967.

For more, read Frank Wickware’s Society for American Baseball Research bio.