Clarence Dow’s name would have been familiar to the Boston baseball fans of the late 1880s and 1890s.  Not because he was a player of some esteem – but rather because he was the guy responsible for tabulating the statistics for the Boston baseball teams for the Boston Globe.  In fact, his work contributed to the Spalding and Reach Guides that put out annual baseball reading for the eager baseball fan.

Dow also made cameos in major league baseball as both a player and an umpire.

Clarence Dow was born October 2, 1854 in Charlestown, MA to James A. and Frances A. (Freeman) Dow, the second of three kids (Ada came first, Frank came third) to the cabinet maker and his dress maker bride.  Dow went to the excellent schools of his neighborhood, including the Winthrop School and Charlestown High School.  During that period, he took an interest in the increasingly popular game of baseball.  He would play on amateur teams, such as the Franklins and the Riversides of Cambridge as well as the Charlestown Unions of his own hometown.

After high school, he joined the United States Navy serving as a school master.  Then he took on roles as a clerk for a confectionary company and eventually ran a department at the Massachusetts census bureau.  This background, as well as his having graduated high school with Boston newspaper editors Stephen O’Meara of the Boston Journal and John J. McNally of the Boston Herald, eventually acquired Dow a position with the Boston Globe as their baseball statistician and occasional contributing writer.

And, as an emergency outfielder and umpire.

“Being one player short yesterday, the Unions put in centre field Clarence Dow, one of the attaches at the grounds.  He proved to be more of a player than was anticipated, not making an error and putting in two hits when needed.”

“Home Runs,” Boston Globe, September 23, 1884: 4.

Not only did Dow get two hits and score a run for the victorious Boston Reds, his three chances in center field included a putout and throwing out two runners on the bases.  Oh – and he was nearing 30 years old.

Dow was called into duty as an umpire for an American Association game between Boston and Columbus on September 4, 1891.  The scheduled umpire missed a train connection – and when Dow’s credentials as a former player, amateur umpire, and expert on baseball rules as a baseball writer and statistician were noted to both managers, the game was allowed to go on.  Boston won handily; Dow’s work went without comment.

Dow married Anna Browne in Boston; they had four children – Harold, Albert, Milton, and Ada.  Thankfully, Dow was able to meet them all.  Unfortunately, he wouldn’t have much time as a father.

In 1892 he contracted the scourge of the era, tuberculosis, and it got progressively worse such that as the 1892 baseball season ended he had to give up his job as a reporter and statistician.  As 1893 started, his last daughter was born and the Boston Globe arranged a benefit to help raise funds for Clarence and his family.  It was hoped that they would be able to move south to improve Dow’s chances of surviving.

It didn’t matter.  Dow drew his last breath on March 11, 1893 at his home in West Somerville, MA.  While his spirit lives on in baseball statisticians everywhere, his earthly remains lie in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, MA.

Sources:

1860, 1870, 1880 US Census
1855, 1865 Massachusetts State Census
US Naval Enlistment Rendezvous Records
MA Marriage Records (Boston)
MA Death Records (Boston)

Baseball-Reference.com
FindaGrave.com

“Exhibition of the Winthrop School in Charlestown,” Boston Evening Transcript, July 23, 1868: 3.
“Home Runs,” Boston Globe, September 23, 1884: 4.
“Electrics 8; Picked Nine 3,” Lynn (MA) Daily Item, August 12, 1889: 4.
“Wilder Than a Steer,” Boston Globe, September 5, 1891: 2.
“Clarence Dow’s Benefit a Success,” Boston Globe, February 12, 1893: 12.
“Clarence Dow Dead,” Boston Globe, March 12, 1893: 7.
“Funeral of Clarence Dow,” Boston Evening Transcript, March 15, 1893: 10.