Billy Cowan – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Billy Cowan played nearly a decade in Major League Baseball, moving from the Chicago Cubs to the California Angels before wrapping up his career in 1972. Born in Calhoun City, Mississippi, on August 28, 1938, Cowan started out as a promising outfielder and ended up playing for six different teams during his eight seasons in the majors.

Cowan retired from professional baseball on April 24, 1972, after he struck out as a pinch hitter for the California Angels against the Texas Rangers. That final at-bat marked the end of a career in which he collected 281 hits, 40 home runs, and 125 RBIs, with a .236 batting average over 493 games.

His time in professional baseball really tells the story of a guy who saw both the highs of minor league stardom and the grind of trying to stick in the majors. From his breakout years in the Pacific Coast League to his utility role with the Angels, Cowan’s career shows just how much perseverance it took to hang on in the big leagues through the 1960s and early ’70s.

Billy Cowan’s Baseball Career Overview

Billy Cowan played eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1963 to 1972. He suited up as an outfielder for six different teams and appeared in 493 games.

He had a standout 1964 season as the Chicago Cubs starting center fielder. Later, he found some success as a utility player with the California Angels.

Major League Debut and Teams

Cowan made his MLB debut on September 9, 1963, with the Chicago Cubs after three strong years in the minors. He was 25 when he first stepped onto a major league field.

He played for these six teams:

• Chicago Cubs (1963-1964)
• New York Mets (1965)
• Milwaukee Braves (1965)
• Philadelphia Phillies (1967)
• New York Yankees (1969)
• California Angels (1969-1972)

He spent the most time with the Angels, playing in 173 games over four seasons. In California, he came off the bench and posted his best professional batting average of .278.

Cowan finished his MLB career on April 24, 1972, striking out as a pinch hitter for the Angels against the Texas Rangers.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Cowan’s best year came in 1964 as the Cubs’ starting center fielder. He played 134 games and started 127 at that spot.

That season, he hit a career-high 19 home runs, which was almost half of his total of 40 career homers.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. He struck out 128 times, which put him second in the National League for strikeouts.

His fielding also gave him trouble, as he led the league with 11 errors in center field. Those defensive issues led to his trade to the New York Mets after the season.

Before he reached the majors, Cowan picked up the 1963 Most Valuable Player award in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. He led the league with 120 RBIs that year.

Statistical Legacy

Billy Cowan ended his career with a .236 batting average in 493 games. His offensive stats show he mainly served as a bench player through most of his time in the big leagues.

Career Statistics:

• Games: 493
• Batting Average: .236
• Hits: 281
• Home Runs: 40
• RBIs: 125
• Runs: 131

He collected 44 doubles and 8 triples along with his 40 home runs. Cowan always batted and threw right-handed.

He spent the 1966 and 1968 seasons back in the minors, which interrupted his time in the majors. That gave him a chance to work on his game.

His most productive stretch happened with the Angels, where he played as a utility outfielder and pinch hitter. That role seemed to fit him better than being an everyday starter with the Cubs.

Early Life and Amateur Years

Billy Rolland Cowan was born August 28, 1938, in Calhoun City, Mississippi. His family later moved to California, where he became a standout multi-sport athlete.

His athletic prowess at East Bakersfield High School drew the attention of college scouts. That led him to the University of Utah, where he kept excelling in baseball.

Birth and Childhood in Mississippi

Billy Rolland Cowan came into the world on August 28, 1938, in Calhoun City, Mississippi. He spent his early years in that small town before his family packed up and moved to California.

That move really changed everything for Cowan. The family settled in Bakersfield, California, and that’s where Billy grew up and started building the skills that would take him to the pros.

Moving from Mississippi to California was a big shift. Bakersfield gave the Cowan family new opportunities and a better climate for sports year-round. That change let Billy chase baseball in a way he couldn’t have in Mississippi.

East Bakersfield High School Accomplishments

At East Bakersfield High School, Cowan stood out as an athlete in multiple sports. His talent set him apart and started drawing interest from colleges and pro teams.

During those years, Cowan developed the basics that would help him in his pro career. His play on the baseball field showed off his raw talent, and scouts started to take notice.

The coaches at East Bakersfield High School saw his potential early on. He had speed, power, and defensive skills that made him a key player for their teams.

His success in high school opened doors for college and, eventually, the pros. The skills he built then turned out to be essential as he moved up to tougher competition.

Collegiate Career at University of Utah

Cowan’s athletic ability landed him a spot at the University of Utah. He kept developing his baseball skills there while working on his education.

His time at Utah really bridged the gap between high school and the pros. He got to refine his technique and face tougher opponents.

The coaches at Utah worked with Cowan to help him hone his abilities. His play in college eventually caught the eye of scouts from the Chicago Cubs.

This part of his life closed out his amateur days. In 1961, he signed his first pro contract with the Cubs.

Breakout with the Pacific Coast League

Cowan’s minor league career peaked in 1963 when he tore up the Pacific Coast League with Salt Lake City. That year, he earned MVP honors and got called up to the Chicago Cubs.

Triple-A Success and MVP Honors

In 1963, Cowan had a monster year with Salt Lake City. He hit .315 and drove in 120 runs, which led the whole Pacific Coast League.

He showed plenty of power, too, hitting 25 home runs that season. The year before, he had already hit 35 homers across two minor league levels.

The Pacific Coast League named him the 1963 Most Valuable Player. He was also picked as a Triple-A all-star.

His 120 RBIs led the league and showed he could drive in runs consistently. That kind of production at the top minor league level proved he was ready for the majors.

Impact on Advancement to MLB

Cowan’s MVP season in the Pacific Coast League led directly to his promotion to the Cubs in September 1963. His Triple-A stats convinced the team he was ready for the big time.

The Cubs brought him up after his huge year in Salt Lake City. He made his MLB debut on September 9, 1963, riding the momentum of his minor league success.

His dominance in Triple-A made him the Cubs’ starting center fielder for 1964. That year, he played in 134 games and started 127 of them in center.

The MVP award and his numbers in Triple-A really launched his MLB career. With 120 RBIs and a .315 average, he showed he could handle advanced pitching and play at the highest level.

Chicago Cubs Era

Cowan’s time with the Cubs from 1963 to 1964 gave him his first real shot in the majors. After his call-up in September 1963, he became the Cubs’ starting center fielder the next season, but he had trouble finding consistency at the plate and was eventually traded to the Mets.

1964 Season as Starting Center Fielder

Cowan won the job as the Cubs’ main center fielder in 1964. He played in 139 games, his first full season in the majors.

He hit .241 with 19 home runs and 50 RBIs, showing some pop with 201 total bases that year.

He showed decent speed, stealing 12 bases and getting caught just three times. His on-base percentage was .268, which showed his struggles to get on base regularly.

Even with the offensive ups and downs, Cowan’s defense in center field made him a regular starter. The Cubs counted on his glove and hoped his power would keep developing.

Notable Performances and Challenges

Cowan’s 1964 season had its ups and downs. His 19 home runs were solid for a second-year player.

But he struck out 128 times in 497 at-bats, which pointed to issues with plate discipline. That strikeout rate hurt his offensive consistency.

The Cubs didn’t have a great record during his time there. Cowan’s numbers reflected the team’s struggles during those rebuilding years.

His .241 batting average was below what teams wanted from everyday players. An OPS of .673 showed his offense was below average, even with the home runs.

Transition from Cubs to Mets

The Cubs traded Cowan to the Mets during the 1965 season. That move came after he continued to struggle early in the year.

Before the trade, Cowan saw limited action with the Cubs in 1965. His numbers had dropped off from his 1964 season.

The Cubs decided to move on, looking for other options in the outfield. They didn’t see him as a long-term fit.

Leaving Chicago ended Cowan’s biggest chance as a regular starter. With the Cubs, he built a reputation as a power hitter with some defensive skills, but he never quite found consistency.

California Angels Tenure and Retirement in 1972

Cowan finished his pro baseball career with the California Angels, playing his final seasons there from 1969 to 1972. His time with the Angels included limited playing opportunities and ended with his release on May 2, 1972, closing out his eight-year MLB career.

Role with the Angels

Billy Cowan joined the Angels in 1969 after a short stint with the Yankees earlier that year. He stayed with the team through 1972, mostly as a reserve outfielder and pinch hitter.

With the Angels, Cowan’s role shrank compared to his earlier years. The team mostly used him in specific situations, not as a regular starter.

Del Rice managed the Angels in 1972, and the team struggled that season. They finished 75-80, landing in fifth place in the AL West.

Cowan didn’t get many chances to play, since the Angels had depth in the outfield. His experience made him a useful bench player, but age and competition for roster spots limited his opportunities.

Final Major League Games

The 1972 season marked the end of Cowan’s professional playing career. He stepped up to the plate only three times during the early part of the regular season, and that was it for his major league appearances.

He took all three of those at-bats as a pinch hitter, showing the Angels mostly used him for specific situations. That kind of limited role often happens to veteran players in their last seasons, right? Teams just save them for certain matchups.

The California Angels struggled badly on offense throughout 1972. They managed only 454 runs, which ended up being the lowest total in the entire league that year.

Cowan barely played, which really just showed his age and how the team viewed his skills at that point. At 33, he faced younger competition for the few roster spots left.

Decision to Retire

On May 2, 1972, the California Angels released Billy Cowan out of the blue. That move pretty much ended his major league career after eight seasons.

The release happened early in the season, so the Angels clearly wanted to go with either younger or more productive players. Cowan had played for the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Milwaukee Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and the Angels during his time in the majors.

After the Angels let him go, Cowan didn’t try to join another team. He probably decided to retire because of his age and how little he’d played lately.

Cowan finished his career with 493 games played across his eight major league seasons. He bounced around several organizations, which really shows how tough it is to hang on to a roster spot in such a competitive league.

Life After Professional Baseball

After the Angels cut him in 1972, Billy Cowan dove into real estate investment consulting and actually built a pretty comfortable life for himself. He enjoyed regular golf outings and fishing trips. Unlike some ex-players, Cowan found financial success outside baseball, thanks to smart property deals in several states.

Post-Retirement Career and Activities

As soon as the Angels released him three games into 1972, Cowan jumped right into the real estate business. He teamed up with former Ram Jon Arnett and sold real estate in Redondo Beach for a couple of years.

He quickly realized that just selling houses wouldn’t cut it. “I learned you just couldn’t sell real estate, you had to do a syndication,” he said. So, he figured out real estate syndications and started brokering bigger deals.

He expanded his business past California, picking up properties in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Cowan developed a project in Parker, Arizona, and even managed properties for a bit before branching out.

By his mid-50s, Cowan had found financial comfort through smart investments. He kept a relaxed schedule, often wrapping up work early so he could play golf twice a week at Palos Verdes.

He tried his hand at other businesses, too, like fishing boats and animated Bible story videotapes for kids. “It wasn’t an easy haul,” Cowan admitted. It took him about eight years before he felt really comfortable financially.

Continuing Influence in Baseball

Cowan barely kept in touch with baseball after retiring, but people still remember his record-setting performance. He tied the major league record by striking out six times in a wild 20-inning game on July 9, 1971.

“If that’s what they remember me for, that’s OK,” Cowan said about the strikeout record. “Better to be remembered for something than not remembered at all,” he joked.

His exit from baseball got a little messy, since he served as the Angels’ player representative during the 1972 strike. Cowan filed a grievance about his release, thinking maybe the team punished him for his union work, but the grievance didn’t go anywhere.

Cowan made a point of not leaning on his baseball fame for post-retirement opportunities. “I had an advantage because I wasn’t used to people giving me a job because I was ‘Bill Cowan, the baseball player,'” he said.

Legacy, Recognition, and Statistical Resources

Billy Cowan played eight seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1963 to 1972, and you can find his stats on plenty of baseball reference sites. His career batting average was .236, with 40 home runs and 125 RBIs in 493 games. He played for six different teams, so he really was the definition of a journeyman.

Career Summary and Recognition

Cowan’s baseball legacy comes from his versatility as a utility player. He mostly played outfield, but he also filled in at first base, second, third, and even shortstop.

His best season was with the Chicago Cubs in 1964. He played 139 games and hit 19 home runs, which was the high point of his offensive career.

Cowan even got some recognition in 1972 when his Topps baseball card became a bit of a collector’s item. The card shows him during his last season with the Angels, which kind of marks the end of his playing days.

He played for six different teams—the Cubs, Mets, Braves, Phillies, Yankees, and Angels. That path really sums up what it was like for a role player in the ’60s and early ’70s.

Important Statistical References

Baseball-Reference.com is the main source for Cowan’s statistical record. You’ll find season-by-season breakdowns of his performance, including his WAR totals, advanced batting stats, and fielding data for all eight seasons.

The Baseball Cube covers Cowan’s minor league stats in addition to his MLB numbers. It also lists his draft info, transaction history, and some biographical details from his pro baseball days.

Baseball Almanac tracks historical research and career totals. They show Cowan’s debut on September 9, 1963, with the Chicago Cubs, along with his physical measurements, how he batted and threw, and where he went to school.

StatsCrew.com puts together Cowan’s career batting average. You’ll also find team-by-team breakdowns for every organization he played with during his career.