Born in Santa Ana, California, Bockman was a triple-threat back for Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach, California, in 1937.[2]
(July 26, 1920 – September 29, 2011)
While playing at second base, Bockman hit a home run for the Fullerton, California All-Stars to help lead them to a 16–4 victory over Fort Rosecrans, in August 1943.[3] He also played third base for a Pacific Coast League All-Star team which featured Cleveland Indians pitcher Bob Feller. The All-Stars opposed the Kansas City Monarchs in an exhibition game at Wrigley Field (Los Angeles), on October 2, 1945, with Satchel Paige pitching for the Monarchs.
Bockman missed 1943 to 1946 due to military service during World War II conflict. He joined the Yankees in September 1946, and later spent parts of the next three years with the Indians and Pirates.
His most productive seasons came with Pittsburgh, when he collected career numbers with a .239 batting average and 23 runs batted in in 1948. Then, in 1949 he posted career-highs in games (79) and home runs (9), driving in 19 runs while scoring 21 times. In April of that year, he belted two home runs in a single game to give the Pirates a 3–1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Forbes Field. His two-run homer in the fourth inning scored Danny Murtaugh, who had walked previously.[1][4]
Bockman was a .230 hitter with 11 home runs and 56 RBI in 199 games.[1] Following his majors stint, he became a Minor league player-manager for the Albuquerque Dukes (1955), Visalia Cubs (1956) and Amarillo Gold Sox (1957–1958).[5]
He later scouted for the Indians, Phillies, Pirates and Yankees organizations, being credited for signing Bob Boone, Larry Bowa, Joe Charboneau, Buck Martinez, Ricky Jordan, Randy Lerch, Dick Ruthven, John Vukovich and Bob Walk, among others.[6]
Brockman died in Millbrae, California, at the age of 91.[6]
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