Al Cowens arrived in the Kansas City organization as a 75th-round draft pick in 1969, a staggering underdog story for a player who would eventually become a cornerstone of the franchise's first great era. He secured the starting right-field job by 1974, and in 1977, Cowens exploded with one of the best offensive seasons in franchise history of the 1970s.
That year, Cowens recorded career highs in home runs (23), RBIs (112), and batting average (.312). He showed the organization he was a foundational superstar by finishing as the runner-up for the American League MVP, falling just short of Rod Carew. His value was equally high on the grass, where he led the league in Total Zone Runs and earned a Gold Glove Award, cementing his reputation as a premier two-way threat.
While many remember his long-standing feud with pitcher Ed Farmer, sparked by a broken jaw sustained in a 1979 pitch and culminating in a famous 1980 brawl, his real legacy in the Heartland was built on his durability and steady offensive production. Cowens was traded to the California Angels after the 1979 season.
With the Royals, Cowens amassed 784 hits with 80 stolen bases and a .282 batting average.
Comments powered by CComment