Spike Owen
Encyclopedia
Spike Dee Owen is a former shortstop
in Major League Baseball
who played for the Seattle Mariners
(1983–86), Boston Red Sox
(1986–88), Montreal Expos
(1989–92), New York Yankees
(1993) and California Angels
(1994–95). He made his Major League debut on June 25, 1983.
In a 13-season career, Owen compiled a .246 batting average
with 46 home run
s and 439 RBI
in 1544 games
.
and was the All-Tournament Team shortstop in the 1982 College World Series
. Drafted by the Seattle Mariners
in the 1st round (6th pick) of the 1982 amateur draft
.
On June 25, 1983 Owen went 1 for 4 against the Toronto Blue Jays
in his major league debut in with the Mariners. His first hit came off Jim Gott
. On July 13, 1983, Owen hit his first big league home run
against Boston Red Sox
pitcher Doug Bird
at Fenway Park
.
In 1986
, he was named team captain of the Mariners. On August 19, Owen and center fielder Dave Henderson
were traded to the Boston Red Sox
for Rey Quiñones
and cash. In his third game with the Red Sox, he tied a major league record with six runs
scored in a game. In the 1986 American League Championship Series
, Owen hit .429 as the Red Sox defeated the California Angels
4 games to 3. In the 1986 World Series
he hit .300, as the Red Sox lost to the New York Mets
4 games to 3.
On December 8, 1988, Owen was traded by the Red Sox to the Montreal Expos
for pitcher John Dopson
and shortstop Luis Rivera.
In 1990
, Owen set a National League
record with 63 consecutive errorless
games at shortstop. Despite his .234 average, he showed some decent power, working in 24 doubles
, five triples
and five home runs among his 106 hits
. The secret to his success was his patience at the plate. Owen drew 70 walks
(12 intentional), giving him a respectable .333 on base percentage
-- the walks are an important element for an eight-place hitter in the NL since they bring the pitcher
to the plate and allow the offense to start the next inning at the top of the order.
Owen's most productive season came in 1992
, when he posted career highs in average (.269), home runs (7), stolen base
s (7) and slugging percentage (.381). In addition, he sported a healthy .348 on base percentage
and performed well in the clutch, batting .319 in 91 at-bats
with runners in scoring position. Owen also led the NL in fielding percentage
twice. A hard-nosed competitor, he quickly established himself as a leader in the Expos clubhouse and helped rookie Delino DeShields
to his transition to second base.
After the 1992 season, Owen was pushed out of Montreal by the emergence of Wil Cordero
and became a free agent. On December 4, 1992 Owen signed a three-year contract with the New York Yankees
. Owen had the idea that he would anchor the Yankee infield and provide leadership, but in 1993 he led a horde of middle infielders in one only category: salary. At the end of the season, Owen was traded to the California Angels
for a minor league
player.
In 1994
, Owen hit a career high .310 in 82 games for the Angels, basically as an infield backup and eventually as a DH
.
In 1996
, Owen joined the Texas Rangers
' Triple A
affiliate, the Oklahoma City 89ers. In April, Owen announced his retirement.
, formerly the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. He is currently the Interim Manager for the Round Rock Express who are now the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers
.
, played for the Chicago Cubs
in the 1984 and 1985 seasons.
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played for the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
(1983–86), Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1986–88), Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
(1989–92), New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
(1993) and California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
(1994–95). He made his Major League debut on June 25, 1983.
In a 13-season career, Owen compiled a .246 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
with 46 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 439 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
in 1544 games
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
.
Player
A switch-hitter, Owen attended The University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
and was the All-Tournament Team shortstop in the 1982 College World Series
1982 College World Series
The 1982 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska from June 4 to June 12. The thirty-sixth tournament's champion was the University of Miami, coached by Ron Fraser...
. Drafted by the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
in the 1st round (6th pick) of the 1982 amateur draft
1982 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1982 Major League Baseball draft.- Other notable players :*Barry Bonds was drafted by the Giants in the 2nd round of the 1982 amateur draft, but did not sign...
.
On June 25, 1983 Owen went 1 for 4 against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in his major league debut in with the Mariners. His first hit came off Jim Gott
Jim Gott
James William Gott , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the major leagues from 1982-1995.Fourth round pick, June draft, of St. Louis Cardinals in 1977....
. On July 13, 1983, Owen hit his first big league home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
against Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
pitcher Doug Bird
Doug Bird
James Douglas Bird was a Major League Baseball pitcher from to . Bird was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 3rd round of the 1969 amateur draft's secondary phase....
at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
.
In 1986
1986 in sports
1986 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup –** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Maria Walliser, Switzerland-American football:...
, he was named team captain of the Mariners. On August 19, Owen and center fielder Dave Henderson
Dave Henderson
David Lee Henderson , nicknamed Hendu, is an American former Major League Baseball player who played for the Seattle Mariners , Boston Red Sox , San Francisco Giants , Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals . He batted and threw right-handed...
were traded to the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
for Rey Quiñones
Rey Quiñones
Rey Francisco Quiñones is a Puerto Rican baseball infielder who had a short career in Major League Baseball, primarily as a shortstop....
and cash. In his third game with the Red Sox, he tied a major league record with six runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
scored in a game. In the 1986 American League Championship Series
1986 American League Championship Series
The 1986 American League Championship Series was a back-and-forth battle between the Boston Red Sox and the California Angels for the right to advance to the 1986 World Series to face the winner of the 1986 National League Championship Series...
, Owen hit .429 as the Red Sox defeated the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
4 games to 3. In the 1986 World Series
1986 World Series
The 1986 World Series pitted the New York Mets against the Boston Red Sox. It was cited in the legend of the "Curse of the Bambino" to explain the error by Bill Buckner in Game 6 that allowed the Mets to extend the series to a seventh game...
he hit .300, as the Red Sox lost to the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
4 games to 3.
On December 8, 1988, Owen was traded by the Red Sox to the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
for pitcher John Dopson
John Dopson
John Robert Dopson, Jr. , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1985 and 1988-1994. Now he is a pitching instructor...
and shortstop Luis Rivera.
In 1990
1990 in sports
1990 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Pirmin Zurbriggen, Switzerland-American football:...
, Owen set a National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
record with 63 consecutive errorless
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
games at shortstop. Despite his .234 average, he showed some decent power, working in 24 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, five triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and five home runs among his 106 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
. The secret to his success was his patience at the plate. Owen drew 70 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
(12 intentional), giving him a respectable .333 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
-- the walks are an important element for an eight-place hitter in the NL since they bring the pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
to the plate and allow the offense to start the next inning at the top of the order.
Owen's most productive season came in 1992
1992 in sports
1992 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup* Men's overall season champion: Paul Accola, Switzerland* Women's overall season champion: Petra Kronberger, Austria-American football:...
, when he posted career highs in average (.269), home runs (7), stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s (7) and slugging percentage (.381). In addition, he sported a healthy .348 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
and performed well in the clutch, batting .319 in 91 at-bats
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
with runners in scoring position. Owen also led the NL in fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
twice. A hard-nosed competitor, he quickly established himself as a leader in the Expos clubhouse and helped rookie Delino DeShields
Delino DeShields
Delino Lamont DeShields is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who enjoyed a 13-year career with 5 teams. He is currently the manager for the Dayton Dragons in the Cincinnati Reds organization....
to his transition to second base.
After the 1992 season, Owen was pushed out of Montreal by the emergence of Wil Cordero
Wil Cordero
Wilfredo Cordero Nieva is a former first baseman/outfielder in Major League Baseball. He was best known as a member of the Montreal Expos . Cordero made his Major League Baseball debut in 1992 and last played in...
and became a free agent. On December 4, 1992 Owen signed a three-year contract with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Owen had the idea that he would anchor the Yankee infield and provide leadership, but in 1993 he led a horde of middle infielders in one only category: salary. At the end of the season, Owen was traded to the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
for a minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
player.
In 1994
1994 in sports
1994 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* January 29 – death of Ulrike Maier , Austrian skier, who broke her neck when she crashed during a World Cup downhill race at Garmisch-Partenkirchen...
, Owen hit a career high .310 in 82 games for the Angels, basically as an infield backup and eventually as a DH
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
.
In 1996
1996 in sports
1996 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Lasse Kjus, Norway** Women's overall season champion: Katja Seizinger, Germany-American football:...
, Owen joined the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
' Triple A
AAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
affiliate, the Oklahoma City 89ers. In April, Owen announced his retirement.
Coach
From 2002 to 2006, Owen was the bench coach of the Round Rock ExpressRound Rock Express
The Round Rock Express is a class Triple-A Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team in Round Rock, Texas, owned by RSR Sports and founded by Reid Ryan, son of Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. The team is affiliated with the Texas Rangers, for whom Nolan Ryan serves as the president and...
, formerly the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. He is currently the Interim Manager for the Round Rock Express who are now the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
Personal life
Spike's older brother, DaveDave Owen
Dave Owen , is a former professional baseball player who played infielder in the Major Leagues from -. He played for the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals. He got the game-winning RBI game during the The Sandberg Game. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington and played for the...
, played for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in the 1984 and 1985 seasons.