Comeback Complete: Bowman ’09 Back in the MLB

Matt Bowman ‘09 epitomizes the St. Albans spirit. It was apparent when he was a student — a leader on the soccer and baseball teams, a champion in the classroom, and a friend to many. Now, that spirit is shining on the national level.

As a sophomore in 2007, along with then-senior future MLB pitcher Danny Hultzen, he helped guide the baseball team to a 34-2 record, DCSAA and IAC championships, and the #16 ranking in the country from USA Today.

Going on to pitch and play shortstop at Princeton University, Bowman was drafted by the New York Mets in the 13th round in 2012. As he climbed the ranks, the Cardinals chose to select Bowman in the Rule 5 Draft, a unique process that required he remain on their Major League roster or be returned to the Mets.

Bowman made the most of the opportunity in the Show. He pitched in 183 games across the next four seasons before injuring his right elbow and requiring Tommy John surgery in September of 2020. The surgery, which requires at least a year of rehab, can be career ending. 

For Bowman, the process was not easy. He became a free agent shortly after his operation, signing with the Yankees on a two-year minor league deal — but was never able to pitch. While it is most common to only miss one season, Bowman surgery forced him to have to miss a second.

He became a free agent again, and after months of waiting, he was given another opportunity with the Yankees for the 2023 season. This year was different. Bowman returned to the mound with a vengeance, shining in 46 games with the team’s AAA-affiliate in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

This week, after 1,445 days, Bowman toed the rubber for the first time in a Major League stadium. Taking the mound in the historic Fenway Park, for a rivalry game against the Boston Red Sox, Bowman twirled a scoreless inning.

As fate would have it, sitting in the right field bleachers that night were four St. Albans alums and current Boston College students Alex Kline ’23, Clark Mocek ’23, Will Kearney ’23, and Aidan Linnartz ’23, three of whom played on the varsity baseball team. Recognizing Bowman immediately, the group was ecstatic to bring the spirit and energy of the BEEF Club to Fenway Park. Eagerly running down to the third base dugout following the game, the group got Bowman’s attention. Demonstrating that St. Albans spirit, he kindly welcomed them down onto the field for a photo.