Joseph Alan Cowley (born August 15, 1958) is an American former professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves (1982), New York Yankees (1984–1985), Chicago White Sox (1986), and Philadelphia Phillies (1987).

Cowley graduated from Lafayette High School in Lexington, Kentucky and was not selected in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.

He attended a tryout camp in Huntington, West Virginia and earned a contract with the Atlanta Braves.

The no-hitter was also memorable because Cowley threw as many balls as he did strikes (69), walking seven men and surrendering one earned run.

After the game, Angels first baseman Wally Joyner said: "Not to put Joe Cowley down, but it wasn't impressive.