Billy Cowan
Born: 8/28/1938 in Calhoun City, MS, USA
MLB Debut: 1963-09-09 | Final Game: 1972-04-24
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 170 lbs
Full name: Billy Rolland Cowan
Biography
Billy Cowan, born in 1938, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1963 until 1972. Primarily recognized for his role as a position player, Cowan played a total of 493 games throughout his career. He accumulated 281 hits, including 40 home runs, and drove in 125 runs, showcasing his ability to contribute offensively during a time when power hitting was becoming increasingly valued in the game.
Cowan's career unfolded during a transformative era in baseball, characterized by the rise of power hitters and the evolving strategies of the game. With a batting average of .236 and 17 stolen bases, he demonstrated versatility, combining speed with the ability to hit for power. Although his numbers may not place him among the most prominent players of his time, Cowan's contributions were significant in the context of the teams he played for, leaving a lasting impression on fans and teammates alike. He retired on April 24, 1972, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the competitive spirit and changing dynamics of baseball during the 1960s and early 1970s.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 493 | 1190 | 131 | 281 | 44 | 8 | 40 | 125 | 17 | 50 | 297 | 0.236 | 0.269 | 0.387 | 0.656 | -1131.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | CHC | NL | 14 | 36 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0.250 | 0.0 |
| 1964 | CHC | NL | 139 | 497 | 52 | 120 | 16 | 4 | 19 | 50 | 12 | 18 | 128 | 0.241 | -445.4 |
| 1965 | ATL | NL | 19 | 27 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0.185 | 0.0 |
| 1965 | NYN | NL | 82 | 156 | 16 | 28 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 45 | 0.179 | 0.0 |
| 1967 | PHI | NL | 34 | 59 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 0.153 | -237.7 |
| 1969 | LAA | AL | 28 | 56 | 10 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 0.304 | 243.6 |
| 1969 | NYY | AL | 32 | 48 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 0.167 | 243.6 |
| 1970 | LAA | AL | 68 | 134 | 20 | 37 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 25 | 0 | 11 | 29 | 0.276 | 286.7 |
| 1971 | LAA | AL | 74 | 174 | 12 | 48 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 20 | 1 | 7 | 41 | 0.276 | 13.1 |
| 1972 | LAA | AL | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 25 | 17 | 133 | 8 | 1 | 18 |
| 2B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 329 | 251 | 540 | 10 | 13 | 3 |
| SS | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | CHN | OF | 10 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1964 | CHN | OF | 134 | 127 | 297 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| 1965 | ML1 | OF | 10 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1965 | NYN | 2B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1965 | NYN | SS | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1965 | NYN | OF | 61 | 35 | 80 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 1967 | PHI | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1967 | PHI | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1967 | PHI | OF | 20 | 16 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1969 | CAL | 1B | 6 | 4 | 32 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 1969 | CAL | OF | 13 | 5 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1969 | NYA | OF | 14 | 7 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1970 | CAL | 1B | 14 | 9 | 69 | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| 1970 | CAL | 3B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1970 | CAL | OF | 27 | 18 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1971 | CAL | 1B | 5 | 4 | 32 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 1971 | CAL | OF | 40 | 31 | 69 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 25 |
| Second Base | 3 |
| Third Base | 3 |
| Shortstop | 1 |
| Left Field | 80 |
| Center Field | 211 |
| Right Field | 42 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Utah | Salt Lake City | UT | 1959, 1960 |