Sam Bowens
| Sam Bowens | ||
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Runs batted in | 143 | |
| Teams | ||
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Samuel Edward Bowens (March 23, 1938 – March 28, 2003) was an American
Washington Senators (1968–1969). Bowens batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Wilmington, North Carolina. During his playing career he was considered to have one of the strongest throwing arms in the league, however knee injuries and drinking problems cut his career short.[1][2] He was named "one of the nicest people I have ever met" by former teammate Wally Bunker.[1]
Early career
Bowens played four sports at
Leesburg Orioles of the Florida State League in 1960.[1]
Major League Baseball
In 1963, Bowens appeared in 15 games,
American League Rookie of the Year Curt Blefary.[2][3] In 1965 he appeared in 84 games, batting only .163 with seven home runs and 20 runs batted in.[4] He hit over .200 only once more in his career, in 1966 when he hit .210 in 89 games while he was hit by a pitch five times, finishing tenth in the league.[4] He was a member of the 1966 World Series champion Orioles, but he didn't appear in a game.[4] His World Series ring was allegedly stolen from a hotel room a year later.[1] He later described his career with the Orioles as "wasted years".[2]
After the 1967 season, his contract was purchased by the
Washington Senators, where he finished his career with batting averages of .191 and .193 in 1968 and 1969.[4]
In a seven-season career, Bowens posted a .223
games.[4]
Later life
Bowens had three children and lived in Indianapolis before moving back to Wilmington in the mid 1980s.[1] He spent his final year in a nursing home in Wilmington, where he died, at the age of 65.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e Carree, Chuck (September 2, 2002). "Unfulfilled Promise". Wilmington Morning Star. pp. 1C, 5C. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
- ^ a b c Hodges, Jack (March 27, 1968). "Bowens Seeking Fresh Start". The St. Petersburg Evening Independent. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
- ^ a b c Voorheis, Mike (April 1, 2003). "Former Williston star, Oriole Sam Bowens dies in Wilmington". The Wilmington-Star News. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f "Sam Bowens Statistics and History". Baseball Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Retrosheet
- Sam Bowens at Baseball Almanac
- Venezuelan Winter League