A steady-fielding switch-hitter with little power from either side of the plate, Owen was named captain of the Mariners at the start of the 1986 season, but was traded to the Red Sox that August 19. In his third game with Boston on August 21, 1986, he tied a major league record with six runs in a 24-5 rout of Cleveland.
Owen was traded to Montreal for John Dopson before the 1989 season and became the Expos' starting shortstop. He flourished defensively in Montreal, leading the league in fielding percentage twice and setting the NL record with 61 consecutive errorless games at shortstop, though that record has since been surpassed by Rey Ordonez. (ArB/SCL/JT)
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»August 21, 1986: Newly acquired SS Spike Owen ties the 20th century major-league record by scoring six runs in Boston's 24–5 thrashing of Cleveland. Rookie blue chipper Greg Swindell takes the loss, his first ML decision.
»July 21, 1988:
Red Sox veteran Jim Rice is suspended for three games by the club for shoving manager Joe Morgan. Rice was angered when Morgan replaced him with pinch hitter Spike Owen in the 8th inning of Boston's eventual 9–7 win over Minnesota.
»April 11, 1992:
Montreal's Archi Cianfrocco gets the most from his first ML hit, collecting three ribbies on a single. The runners were off with the pitch with two out and a 3-2 count and Spike Owen scores from 1B. The Expos beat the Mets, 9–2.
»December 4, 1992: The Yankees sign free agent SS Spike Owen to a 3-year contract.
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