» June 7, 1969: The Washington Senators name Jeff Burroughs the number one pick in the June free-agent draft. The Astros choose J.R. Richard as the 2nd pick, and the White Sox follow with 3B Ted Nicholson. Cincinnati picks Ken Griffey on the 29th round, while Kansas City, with a record 90 picks, takes Al Cowens with their 84th choice. The Dodgers select Bill Seinsoth on the first round after selecting him on the 6th round in 1968: the promising lefty slugger is killed in a car accident in September. With the 13th pick, the Red Sox take University of Minnesota's Noel Jenke, who is also drafted by the Chicago Black Hawks and the Minnesota Vikings (12th round). He'll never make the majors (Pawtucket in 1971 is the highest) but he will play four years in the NFL. Montreal picks Tony Scott on the 71st round and Al Cowens, who will play for 13 years in the majors, lasts until the 75th round (Royals). » October 5, 1977:
In the opener of the American League Series, home runs by Hal McRae, John Mayberry, and Al Cowens lead the Royals to a 7–2 triumph over the Yankees.
» May 8, 1979: During an 8–7 loss to Texas, Kansas City loses two regulars, both as a result of being hit by pitches from Ed Farmer. OF Al Cowens suffers a fractured jaw and will miss 21 games. 2B Frank White sustains a broken hand and will sit out 33 contests. Farmer will be traded three times in the next 12 months. On June 20, 1980, Cowens will hit a grounder off Farmer and charge the mound.
» December 6, 1979: In one of their better trades, the Royals acquire 1B Willie Aikens, Rance Mulliniks from the Angels for OF Al Cowens, Todd Cruz, and Craig Eaton. Aikens will have four solid years in KC, including two 2–homer games in the World Series.
» May 27, 1980:
In a trade that helps both teams, the Tigers send Jason Thompson to California for Al Cowens.
» June 20, 1980:
White Sox reliever Ed Farmer swears he will take criminal action against Detroit's Al Cowens following an on-field brawl in Chicago. Cowens hit a grounder to SS, and then charged the mound instead of running to 1B. The action stemmed from an incident a year earlier when a Farmer pitch shattered Cowens' jaw. American League prexy Lee MacPhail will suspend Cowens for seven games. The Tigers win 5–3 in 11 innings.
» September 1, 1980: Tigers OF Al Cowens and White Sox reliever Ed Farmer publicly end their long-running feud by shaking hands at home plate prior to Chicago's 11–3 win at Tiger Stadium. The feud began in 1979 when Farmer broke Cowens' jaw with a pitch, and flared again this June 20th when Cowens hit a ground ball off Farmer and attacked the pitcher instead of running to 1B. Cowens was suspended for seven games and a warrant was issued for his arrest in Illinois, forcing him to skip last week's Tigers-White Sox series in Chicago. Farmer agreed to drop the charges in exchange for a handshake, and the two players brought out the lineup cards before today's game.
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