Dowd came up as a second baseman, but spent the heart of his career as the right fielder for the 1893-95 St. Louis Perfectos (NL). He managed St. Louis for the last 62 games of 1896, and was fired after a 6-25 start in 1897. He was dealt to the Phillies a few days later, only to be reacquired by St. Louis for the following season.
