Final Card: Sam Bowens

Sam Bowens (#82) was primarily a backup outfielder in the mid-to-late 1960s, for the Orioles and Senators. Just as in his life (he was born and died in Wilmington, NC), his baseball career never strayed far from 1 spot.

Here we have his final card (with the ugly 1st-series burlap borders). By the time this card was issued, Bowens was already with the Senators.



Bowens played for the Nashville Giants in the Negro Leagues in 1957 and 1958, then was signed by the Orioles in 1960, and spent 4 seasons in the minors before making his major-league debut in September 1963.

In 1964, he spent the entire season with Baltimore as their regular right fielder. He started 116 games in right, along with 16 games in left field.

Rookie Curt Blefary cut into Bowens' playing time in 1965. When Boog Powell moved in to 1st base, Blefary would move over to left field, and Bowens played in right. Otherwise, Bowens was the odd man out. He also spent 24 games at triple-A Rochester.

In 1966, Bowens was relegated to backing up Curt Blefary in left field and Frank Robinson in right field. After the 1967 season, he was sold to the Senators. His time in Washington was more of the same - pinch-hitting and backing up in the outfield.

Bowens' last major-league game was on July 26, 1969. He spent part of the 1968 and 1969 seasons with the Senators' triple-A team in Buffalo. In 1970, he played minor-league ball with the Braves and Pirates.