B’s abound in the story of our next inductee, Art Bishop. Though Art excelled in baseball and football at Thornton Academy in Saco, Maine and passed time on numerous town teams, the Twilight League, and Semi-pro ball in Canada, it was at Bowdoin College that Bishop carved the records that warrant his nomination to the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame.
For over 25 years “Deacon Dan” MacFayden, a former major league curve baller was the highly respected coach at Bowdoin and Coach MacFayden labeled Art Bishop one of the two best to play for the The Polar Bears — and some say #1.
Among the Bishop records established from 19501952 we find:
Most basehits in a career - 60 - 1950-52 Most runs scored in a career - 43 - 1950-52 Most RBI in a season - 21 - 1952
Pitching, best won-lost in career - 3-2 1950-1952
Yes, Bishop was noted for his versatility. he was labeled a “well trimmed speedster”. At home on the mound as well as the batters box.In 1952 Art Bishop hit an astounding .457 State Series Championship.
Blessed with two other outstanding hurlers Paul Clifford, a Lewiston lefty, and Lou Audet, a right-hander, Bowdoin won the State Series in 1951 and 1952, and finished tied with UMO in 1955.
Among Art’s contemporaries are included Andy Lano and Al Hackett, also .400 hitters in the State Series action.
Art Bishop is retired after over 20 years as Brunswick High’s baseball coach. Art, who lost his wife in the early 1960’s has one son Brad who is also a teacher/coach and Art follows Brad’s boys around the sports world.