Mizzou Baseball: RIP, Frank Graham (1920-2013)

Frank Graham passed away Friday at the age of 93.

Graham was a familiar face at Taylor Stadium for the past several years. As a long-time season ticket holder, he could frequently be seen in Section C, Row 5, Seat 1, cheering on his Tigers. In the last few seasons, I saw him fewer times as his age and the Simmons Field weather increasingly were at odds.

The last time I saw him at Simmons field was during the final Big 12 season in 2012. I was fortunate enough to talk to him, and to take a quick photo of him standing next to the bust of his former coach, John "Hi" Simmons.

via SimmonsField.com

Graham was a right handed pitcher for the "Hi" Simmons' Tigers 1940 to 1942. He and his teammates won the Big Six conference title in '41 and '42.

He was always good for a few stories about Mizzou Baseball in the old days, including tales of John "Hi" Simmons, who had only been on the job for a couple of years prior to Graham's arrival.

Throwing out the first pitch before Saturday's game will be Frank Graham. A native of Fair Grove, Mo., Graham was a senior on the 1942 team. He pitched 31 innings in five games for the Tigers, compiling a 2-2 record. On April 24, 1942, Graham shut out Washington University (Mo.) as the Tigers cruised to a 10-0 win.

During WWII, Graham pitched for the Ft. Benning (Ga.) parachute school team. He pitched in a game against George "Red" Munger, three-time Major League Baseball All-Star and member of the 1946 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Behind Graham's pitching, Ft. Benning won, 3-1. mutigers.com 5/3/2002

In 100 Ages, a feature earlier this year, the Columbia Missourian presented an audio clip of Graham talking about his years as a ballplayer.

"I thought I was an old man when I got out of the service. Twenty-six. I'd lost about four years of good time for baseball to find out if I could make it (as a professional)." Columbia Missourian

But Frank Graham was more well known in the state of Missouri for other achievements. He was the long-time director of the 4-H club in Missouri, and was a Boone County Judge (now known as Commissioners) in the '80s and '90s.

He will be missed at Simmons Field. A tip of the cap to you, Mr. Graham.

Sad to hear of the passing of former Tiger great Frank Graham. He pitched for us in 1941, 42. Great baseball guy. Rest in Peace.

— Mizzou Baseball (@MUTigerBaseball) September 21, 2013

Links:

Columbia Tribune: Frank Graham, 1920-2013

Columbia Missourian: Frank Graham worked as 4H leader, loved baseball