Al Cowens – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Al Cowens isn’t exactly a household name these days, but his 13-year Major League Baseball career really says a lot about a right fielder who left his mark during the golden era of the 1970s and 1980s. Born in Los Angeles in 1951, Cowens grew into one of the more reliable outfielders of his generation, suiting up for four different teams before he finally hung up his cleats in 1986.

Cowens officially retired from professional baseball on June 12, 1986, when the Seattle Mariners released him after five seasons with the organization. He played his final MLB game just four days before that, on June 8, 1986, wrapping up a career that started with so much promise in Kansas City and took him all across the American League. Over the years, Cowens put together a .270 batting average, hit 108 home runs, and drove in 717 RBIs. He even grabbed a Gold Glove in 1977.

From his early days in the Royals farm system to those memorable feuds with pitchers, Cowens’ career had both stellar defensive play and a few controversial moments that kept fans buzzing. He bounced between teams and trades, showing the business side of baseball, while his on-field achievements and off-field drama painted him as a pretty complex player. You can’t really forget a guy like that.

Al Cowens: Early Life and Background

Alfred Edward Cowens Jr. was born in Los Angeles, California, on October 25, 1951. He grew up in the sprawling city that shaped his early years.

His path to professional baseball started at Centennial High School. Kansas City Royals scouts noticed his talent there in the late 1960s.

Family and Childhood in Los Angeles

Alfred Edward Cowens Jr. spent his childhood in Los Angeles during the 1950s and 1960s. Born to Alfred Edward Cowens Sr., young Al grew up in a city where baseball just seemed to be everywhere.

Los Angeles gave him the perfect backdrop for a future in baseball. That year-round mild weather meant he could always be outside, playing and practicing.

During those years, Cowens picked up the athletic skills that would later make him stand out as a right fielder. His family always encouraged his love for sports.

The city buzzed with youth baseball leagues and programs, giving Cowens plenty of chances to play and learn. Those early games really shaped his understanding of baseball.

High School Baseball at Centennial High

Al Cowens went to Centennial High School in Los Angeles, where his baseball skills really started to shine. Scouts from the pros took notice of how he played on the high school field.

At Centennial, Cowens played right field and showed off both his bat and his glove. He had a knack for hitting and a real feel for defense.

His coaches saw his potential right away. They worked with him to develop his raw abilities and get him ready for tougher competition.

Cowens’ senior year stood out especially to scouts. His steady hitting and fielding made him a real prospect for major league teams.

Entry into Professional Baseball

The Kansas City Royals picked Al Cowens in the 75th round of the 1969 MLB Amateur Draft. That draft pick kicked off his journey through the minor leagues.

Getting drafted that late meant most people didn’t expect much from Cowens. Still, his drive and work ethic soon made it clear the Royals had found something special.

Cowens spent five years working his way up through the Royals’ farm system. He put in the time at each stop, sharpening his game bit by bit.

He moved up steadily, playing in several minor league cities. Finally, he made his major league debut in 1974.

Major League Debut and Kansas City Royals Career

Al Cowens started his big league journey with the Kansas City Royals organization in 1969. He made it to the majors five years later.

His six years with the Royals saw him grow steadily as a right fielder. That 1977 season, in particular, was something special, and it put him among the American League’s best outfielders.

Draft and Minor League Years

The Kansas City Royals chose Cowens in the 75th round of the 1969 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Centennial High School in Compton, California. He was the 1,018th overall pick, so expectations weren’t exactly sky-high.

Cowens spent five seasons developing in the minors. The Los Angeles native worked hard, improving his swing and his defense in right field.

On April 6, 1974, Cowens debuted for the Royals at 22. In his first game against the Twins, he got one hit in two at-bats and drove in two runs. Not a bad start at all.

Breakout 1977 Season

Cowens hit his stride in 1977, really making a name for himself as a right fielder. He put up a .312 batting average with 23 home runs and 112 RBIs, all career highs.

His defense got him a Gold Glove Award that year. He made tough plays in right field look easy.

That season, Cowens finished second in American League MVP voting, just behind Rod Carew. It was the highest honor of his career and showed how much he meant to the Royals.

Notable Teammates and Postseason Appearances

Cowens shared the field with some strong Royals players, like second baseman Frank White and first baseman Willie Aikens. White, who later got caught up in the 1979 beaning incident with Ed Farmer, was part of a solid infield.

The Royals reached the playoffs three years in a row from 1976 to 1978 with Cowens in right. He played in 14 postseason games during those American League Championship Series.

Each time, the Yankees knocked Kansas City out. The Royals never made it to the World Series during those runs, but those playoff appearances showed they were a force in the American League.

Trades and Seasons with California Angels and Detroit Tigers

Al Cowens bounced around in 1980, playing for both the California Angels and Detroit Tigers that season. He got traded a couple of times, which really changed the course of his career.

Joining the California Angels

The California Angels picked up Cowens before the 1980 season in a trade with the Royals. The Angels sent Willie Aikens and Rance Mulliniks to Kansas City, getting Cowens, Todd Cruz, and Craig Eaton in return.

This was a big change for Cowens. He’d just put together several solid years in Kansas City, including that huge 1977 season where he finished second in MVP voting.

The Angels hoped Cowens would bring some leadership and a boost to their offense. But his time in California was short—just about two months into the 1980 season.

He struggled to settle in with the Angels. Maybe the new environment and a different team vibe made it tough for him to adjust.

Move to Detroit Tigers

In May 1980, the Detroit Tigers traded for Cowens, sending first baseman Jason Thompson to the Angels. Tigers manager Sparky Anderson pushed for the deal, thinking Thompson didn’t fit the team’s winning mindset.

Anderson was in his first full year managing Detroit. He figured Cowens could add the kind of veteran presence and work ethic the Tigers needed.

The trade worked out for both teams at first. The Angels got Thompson, who had been solid for Detroit, while the Tigers got an experienced outfielder.

Cowens spent parts of two seasons with Detroit (1980-1981). He tried to lock down the right field job, but never quite made it his own.

Key Trades and Player Exchanges

The 1980 season saw Cowens involved in two major trades within a few months. The first one with the Royals included multiple players, with Willie Aikens being the biggest name going to Kansas City.

Jason Thompson was the centerpiece of the Angels-Tigers trade. Thompson had been an All-Star for Detroit, but Anderson didn’t think his personality fit with the team’s plans.

Both trades showed how teams were shifting their priorities. The Angels wanted leadership, while the Tigers were looking for chemistry and character more than just stats.

Those quick trades made 1980 a whirlwind for Cowens. He had to adapt to new teams, coaches, and locker rooms in no time.

These moves set Cowens up for the last part of his MLB career. After Detroit, he signed with the Seattle Mariners.

Seattle Mariners Years and Final Playing Days

Cowens joined the Seattle Mariners in 1982 and played his final five seasons there. His best numbers with Seattle came right out of the gate, but things faded a bit as the mid-1980s rolled on.

His career ended suddenly in 1986 after the team released him during a managerial shakeup.

Impact and Performance in Seattle

Cowens made an instant impact with the Seattle Mariners in 1982. That first season, he put up a .270 batting average with solid power.

He racked up 39 doubles, 8 triples, and 20 home runs with 78 RBIs in 1982. That kind of production locked him in as the team’s regular right fielder for the next few years.

Cowens played alongside Dave Henderson, forming what Henderson called an “airtight defensive outfield.” The group included Cowens in right, Dave Henderson, and first Steve Henderson, then Phil Bradley.

His steady play and leadership were a big help for the young Mariners. Cowens worked with the younger guys, and Henderson mentioned that Cowens loved teaching and passing on the right way to play.

Release and End of MLB Career

By 1986, Cowens was competing with young outfielders like Ivan Calderon and Danny Tartabull for playing time. The Seattle Mariners went with the youth movement, and the 35-year-old Cowens lost his starting spot.

The team released him soon after manager Chuck Cottier got fired and Dick Williams took over. The new management clearly wanted to rebuild with younger players.

After his release, Cowens looked into playing in Japan, but nothing came of it. That pretty much ended his 13-year MLB career.

He’d hoped to keep playing a little longer, but eventually accepted that his playing days were done. With a final batting average of .270 over 1,584 games, Cowens showed he was a steady performer who contributed on both offense and defense for every team he played with.

Career Highlights, Awards, and Playing Style

Al Cowens built a reputation as one of the most reliable right fielders of his era. His 1977 Gold Glove and near-MVP season really showed what he could do.

Fielding Excellence and Gold Glove Award

Cowens grabbed his Gold Glove Award in 1977 while manning right field for the Kansas City Royals. That award meant he was the best defensive right fielder in the American League that year.

His defensive skills were a big part of his value to every team. Cowens had a strong arm, great positioning, and steady hands.

He threw right-handed with both accuracy and power from the outfield. That consistency helped anchor the Royals’ defense during their playoff runs.

The Gold Glove was the high point of his defensive awards. Still, Cowens stayed solid in the field throughout his time with all four teams.

Batting Achievements and Statistics

Cowens wrapped up his career with a .270 batting average over 1,584 games. In 1977, he hit .312 with 23 home runs and 112 RBIs—definitely his best offensive year.

That 1977 season put him second in the American League MVP voting, just behind Rod Carew. He really showed what he could do on both sides of the game that year.

Across 13 seasons, Cowens hit 108 home runs and drove in 717 RBIs. He racked up 1,494 hits and stayed pretty steady as a right-handed hitter.

He played in 14 postseason games during three American League Championship Series with Kansas City from 1976 to 1978. Even though the Royals lost each time to the Yankees, Cowens still picked up some valuable playoff experience.

Famous Altercations and Off-Field Events

Al Cowens got tangled up in one of baseball’s wildest feuds when Texas Rangers pitcher Ed Farmer broke Cowens’ jaw with a pitch in 1979. That led to a heated confrontation the next season, which brought criminal charges and league involvement.

Feud with Ed Farmer

Everything kicked off on May 8, 1979, in a Royals vs. Rangers game at Arlington Stadium. Ed Farmer threw a pitch in the fifth inning that smashed Cowens’ jaw and knocked out a few teeth.

Cowens had to sit out 21 games because of that injury. Farmer later claimed Cowens tried to steal signs and expected a breaking ball away, but got an inside fastball instead.

Earlier that same game, Farmer also hit Royals second baseman Frank White, breaking his wrist and putting him out for a month. That pattern of hitting batters just stoked the fire between the teams.

Comiskey Park Incident and Aftermath

Things really blew up on June 20, 1980, when Cowens faced Farmer again. By then, Farmer pitched for the Chicago White Sox, and Cowens played for the Detroit Tigers.

During a game at Comiskey Park, Cowens hit a ground ball to shortstop. Instead of heading for first base, he sprinted straight to the mound and tackled Farmer from behind while Farmer watched his infielders handle the play.

Cowens landed a few punches before both benches emptied and players pulled them apart. The attack stunned the crowd and the players, since it broke baseball’s unwritten rules about handling disputes.

Farmer filed a criminal complaint against Cowens, and Illinois issued a warrant. The charges eventually got dropped after the two shook hands before a game in Detroit on September 1, when they brought out the lineup cards.

League Suspensions and Lee MacPhail’s Ruling

American League president Lee MacPhail suspended Cowens for seven games after the Comiskey Park fight. That suspension made it clear the league took the attack seriously.

Farmer’s decision to go through the Illinois court system took the feud to a whole new level outside baseball. The legal mess added even more drama to the whole situation.

When Cowens later showed up at Comiskey Park, fans greeted him with a “Coward Cowens” banner, just to remind him how much the incident hurt his reputation in Chicago.

Life After Retirement and Legacy

After retiring in 1986, Al Cowens stayed close to baseball. He worked as a scout for the Kansas City Royals until his sudden death in 2002.

Scouting and Involvement in Baseball

Once he finished his playing days, Cowens started scouting for the Kansas City Royals. His wife Velma said he kept finding and evaluating talent for the team that first brought him up.

That role let Cowens stick with the sport he loved. He put his Gold Glove experience and 13 years in the majors to work, sizing up young players.

The Royals trusted his eye for talent and deep knowledge of the game. Honestly, it felt like a natural next step for someone who’d spent so long at the highest level.

Cowens brought a player’s mindset to scouting. He really understood what it took to make it in pro baseball, and the Royals leaned on that.

Death and Commemoration

Cowens died of a heart attack on March 11, 2002, at his home in Downey, California. He was only 50.

His wife of 30 years, Velma, shared the news. He left behind his wife, four kids, and several grandchildren.

Family survivors included:

• Sons: Purvis, Dante, and Rayvon
• Daughter: Trinetta
• Wife: Velma
• Multiple grandchildren

They held a funeral service on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Crusaders Temple Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles. Friends and family gathered to remember his life and what he gave to baseball.

His sudden passing caught the baseball world off guard. People remembered him as a dedicated player who faced plenty of obstacles but never gave up.

Impact on the Game

Cowens made a real impact with his relentless work ethic and gritty determination on the field. In 1977, he batted .312, hit 23 home runs, and drove in 112 runs, even picking up a Gold Glove—just an all-around incredible season.

He actually finished second to Rod Carew in American League MVP voting that year. That really says a lot about where he stood among the top players back then.

Over 13 seasons, Cowens put up a .270 batting average, 107 home runs, and 717 RBIs. Those stats show how steady and productive he was year after year.

Cowens inspired a lot of people with his dedication. After taking a pitch to the face in 1979 and fracturing his jaw, he just kept coming back—talk about resilience.

People who played with or against him remember Cowens for his respect for the game and the intensity he brought every day. Even after his playing days, he kept shaping the game through scouting and by setting an example for younger guys.