Frank Bolling

Frank Bolling
Bolling, circa 1959
Second baseman
Born:(1931-11-16)November 16, 1931 Mobile, Alabama,U.S.
Died:July 11, 2020(2020-07-11)(aged 88) Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Batted:Right Threw:Right
MLB debut
April 13, 1954, for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
September 15, 1966, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
Batting average	.254
Home runs	106
Runs batted in	556
Teams
Detroit Tigers(1954–1960) Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves(1961–1966)
Career highlights and awards
4×All-Star(1961–1962²) Gold Glove Award(1958)

Francis Elmore Bolling(November 16, 1931 – July 11, 2020) was an Americanbaseballsecond basemanwho played twelve seasons inMajor League Baseball(MLB). He played for theDetroit TigersandMilwaukee/Atlanta Bravesfrom 1954 until 1966. He batted and threw right-handed, and was the younger brother ofshortstopMilt Bolling.

Bolling was signed as anamateur free agentby theDetroit Tigersin 1951 and played for four of theirminor league affiliatesuntil 1954, when the Tigers promoted him to the major leagues. After completing military service in 1955, he went on to spend five more seasons with the organization. He was subsequently dealt to the Milwaukee Braves. The team moved to Atlanta in 1966, the final season of his career, and he played his last game on September 15 that year.

Early life

Bolling was born inMobile, Alabama,on November 16, 1931.He attendedMcGill–Toolen Catholic High School,and went on to study atSpring Hill College.He was signed as an amateur free agent by theDetroit Tigersin June 1951.

Career

Bolling reached the majors in 1954 with the Detroit Tigers, playing six seasons with them before moving to the Milwaukee Braves in 1961. He was on the Braves' roster when the team moved to Atlanta in 1966.

Milwaukee Bravessecond baseman Frank Bolling in a 1961 issue ofBaseball Digest

A fine defensive second baseman, Bolling also averaged 14 home runs from 1957 to 1959, with a career-high 15 in 1957. His most productive season was 1958, when he posted career high numbers inhits(164),doubles(27),runsand RBIs (75), and won theGold Glove Awardafter leading theAmerican Leaguesecond basemen infielding percentage.When his brother Milt was traded to Detroit during the same season, the Bollings became one of only four brother combinations in major league history to play thekeystone combination(second base and shortstop) on the same club.The others areGarvinandGranny Hamner(for thePhiladelphia Philliesin 1945), the twinsEddieandJohnny O'Brienwith thePittsburgh Piratesin the mid-1950s, andCalandBilly Ripkenfor theBaltimore Oriolesduring the 1980s.

Traded to the Braves forBill Brutonafter the 1960 season, Bolling ledNational Leaguesecond basemen in fielding in 1961, 1962 and 1964. He made theNational League All-Starteam in 1961 and 1962, and also was named onThe Sporting NewsNL All-Star Teamin 1961.During his penultimate season in 1965, Bolling hit the onlygrand slamof his career offSandy Koufaxon September 22.It was also the last game the Braves played inMilwaukeebefore moving toAtlanta.Bolling played his final major league game on September 15, 1966, two months shy of his 35th birthday. He was subsequently released by the Braves in October of that year. Bolling finished his career with a.254batting average,106home runs,and 556runs batted in(RBI) in 1,540games played.He never played an inning at any position other than second base, ending with a career fielding mark of.982.

Post-playing career

The road thatHank Aaron Stadiumis on, Bolling Brothers Boulevard, is named in tribute to Bolling and his brother Milt.He was inducted into the Milwaukee Braves' Wall of Honor atMiller Parkin May 2019.

Bolling died on July 11, 2020, at the age of 88.He had been suffering from cancer in the four years leading up to his death.

External links

• Career statistics and player information fromMLB,orBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors),orRetrosheet
• Frank Bollingat Baseball Biography