He batted and threw right-handed, standing 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and weighing 195 lb (88 kg), during his playing days.

Bowman attended Abraham Lincoln High School (San Jose, California) and played right field for the Phillies from 1955 to 1958 and was noted for his strong throwing arm.

The Phillies briefly tried converting Bowman to pitcher in 1959 when they were short arms in the bull pen.

His only decision came on September 18, his final appearance in the major leagues, losing to the Chicago Cubs, 5–4, with Alvin Dark hitting a RBI double to score the winning run in the bottom of the 13th inning.

This biographical article relating to an American baseball outfielder born in the 1930s is a stub.