Sam Bowens
Born: 3/23/1938 in Wilmington, NC, USA
Died: 3/28/2003 in Wilmington, NC, USA
MLB Debut: 1963-09-07 | Final Game: 1969-07-26
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 188 lbs
Full name: Samuel Edward Bowens
Biography
Sam Bowens, born in 1938, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1963 until his retirement in 1969. Primarily known as a position player, Bowens played a total of 479 games during his career. He was recognized for his power-hitting capabilities, as evidenced by his 45 home runs and 143 RBIs. Although his batting average was .223, he showcased his speed on the base paths with 25 stolen bases, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set that contributed to his team's offense.
Bowens played during a transformative time in baseball history when players began to explore the full potential of power hitting, and he was part of a league that was shifting towards a more dynamic and athletic style of play. While he may not have achieved superstar status, his contributions in the outfield and at the plate left a lasting impression on fans and teammates alike. Bowens' career serves as a reminder of the diverse talents that shaped the game during the 1960s, a decade marked by both emerging stars and the evolution of playing styles.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 479 | 1287 | 141 | 287 | 48 | 6 | 45 | 143 | 25 | 100 | 293 | 0.223 | 0.283 | 0.375 | 0.657 | -854.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | BAL | AL | 15 | 48 | 8 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0.333 | 217.6 |
| 1964 | BAL | AL | 139 | 501 | 58 | 132 | 25 | 2 | 22 | 71 | 4 | 42 | 99 | 0.263 | 1110.7 |
| 1965 | BAL | AL | 84 | 203 | 16 | 33 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 20 | 7 | 10 | 41 | 0.163 | -1065.3 |
| 1966 | BAL | AL | 89 | 243 | 26 | 51 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 20 | 9 | 17 | 52 | 0.210 | -493.5 |
| 1967 | BAL | AL | 62 | 120 | 13 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 11 | 43 | 0.183 | -201.0 |
| 1968 | WS2 | AL | 57 | 115 | 14 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 39 | 0.191 | -136.4 |
| 1969 | WS2 | AL | 33 | 57 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 14 | 0.193 | -286.4 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 373 | 313 | 606 | 23 | 17 | 4 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | BAL | OF | 13 | 13 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1964 | BAL | OF | 135 | 132 | 249 | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| 1965 | BAL | OF | 68 | 53 | 108 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 1966 | BAL | OF | 68 | 56 | 114 | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| 1967 | BAL | OF | 32 | 26 | 41 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 | WS2 | OF | 27 | 20 | 42 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1969 | WS2 | OF | 30 | 13 | 32 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 108 |
| Center Field | 10 |
| Right Field | 285 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee State University | Nashville | TN | 1956, 1957, 1958 |