A native of Los Angeles, California, Cowens was a product of the Kansas City Royals farm system, having been selected by the team in the 1969 MLB draft.

His most productive season came in 1977, when he batted .312 with 23 home runs and 112 RBI,[1] earned a Gold Glove, and finished second to Rod Carew in balloting for the American League MVP Award.

The need for Cowens was the result of injuries to Joe Rudi and Dan Ford which hurt the Angels' chances of winning the American League pennant.

[3] A shortage of power hitters due to injuries to Don Baylor and Brian Downing by the second month of the 1980 season led to Cowens being dealt from the Angels to the Detroit Tigers for Jason Thompson on May 27, 1980.

[10] While Farmer watched his infielders make the play, Cowens ran to the mound rather than first base, and tackled the pitcher from behind, landing several punches before the benches cleared and the two were separated.