KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 13 (UPI) -- Al Cowens, the Kansas City Royals right fielder who finished second in the Most Valuable Player voting in 1977, died of an apparent heart attack Monday near Los Angeles. He was 50.
Cowens, who also spent time with the California Angels, Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners, spent 13 seasons in the major leagues and compiled a .270 batting average with 108 homers and 717 RBI. His best year came in 1977, when he hit .312 with 23
homers, 112 RBI and won a Gold Glove. The Royals won a
club-record 102 games that season.
Cowens finished second to Rod Carew in the MVP race that season but was traded to the Angels following in the 1979 season. He hit .270 with 20 homers and 78 RBI for the Mariners in 1982 but retired after a disappointing 1986 season in which he hit .183.
Cowens is survived by his wife Velma, sons Purvis, Dante and Rayvon and a daughter Trinetta.
