On June 20, 1980, Chicago 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 charges the mound instead of running to first base.
While still playing with the Royals in 1979, on May 8, in a game against the Rangers, Cowens was injured when a pitch by reliever Farmer struck the right-handed batter in the jaw. Also in that game, Cowens’ teammate Frank White was hit by a Farmer pitch. As a result of his beaning, Cowens missed three weeks. When he returned he wore a protective mask attached to his helmet to guard his surgically repaired jaw.
More than a year later, in a Tiger uniform, Cowens finally faced Farmer again. With the Tigers facing the White Sox in Chicago (Farmer had moved on to a new team also), Cowens led off the 11th inning of a 3-3 contest. After the tall right-hander coaxed Cowens into a grounder to short, he turned to watch the play behind him. Instead of going to first base, Cowens went straight out to the mound, surprising Farmer by tackling him from behind. Both benches emptied, as did the bullpens. Cowens was ejected. But in his mind, he’d exacted a level of revenge.
Farmer said, “I saw a figure coming behind me. I tried to hit him with my right elbow coming up behind, like I was going to hit him like a hockey player would hit somebody who’s playing center with a guy pushing him out of the goal crease. I tried to hit him with my elbow, and he came around and put his pinky finger in my nose. Then I had some things to say to him on the ground.”
“I hope he sleeps well tonight. If that’s his best shot, he won’t scare anybody…
Talk to Cowens about why he did it, but don’t expect to understand him. Whatever language he speaks, it’s not English. He’s an idiot.”
American League President Lee MacPhail will suspend Cowens for seven games.
The Tigers win, 5 – 3, in 11 innings.
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