WHO is "Billy Owen" .... a Fan Craze mystery ?

[Archive]

Posted By: Brian H (misunderestimated)

I was just looking up the subject of a 1904 American League Fan Craze* card I was selling -- one "BILLY OWEN" of the Boston Red Sox -- to see who he was and if there was anything interesting I could write about him in my item description (even though I seriously doubt the biographical info really helps sell anything -- I enjoy writing it when I have time).

So, I decided to look up the legendary "Billy Owen" on Baseballreference.com. Guess what ? No "Billy Owen" or "William Owen" EVER played major league ball. Based on my research on Baseballreference.com the closest I could come was one "Frank Walter Owens" who played one game for the Red Sox in '05 at age 19 and didn't resurface in the majors again until 1909 with the White Sox. Assuming this is true its quite odd that Fan Carze decided to include this virtual "Moonlight Graham" in the set. After his one game in 1905 Owen was hitting .000 (0 for 3 -- bad even by deadball standards).

If anyone has a better guess who this "Billy Owen" might be please let me know, I'm curious.

------
* - Yes, I know based on other players' team designations that the AL set was almost certainly issued in 1906 -- like its NL counterpart (special thanks to Hal Lewis).

[Archive]

Posted By: Hal Lewis

Thanks for the Thanks!

Since the set was from 1906... then maybe the card was SUPPOSED to be for THIS guy who played for Boston in 1905 at age 19 for only ONE game:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/owensfr01.shtml

The guy on your card looks about 19 years old... and the company could easily have gotten his name wrong since he was so unknown.

[Archive]

Posted By: Hal Lewis

"Hey Fred, we need one more card to make a round number for a complete set. Who else can we add?"

"I don't know, Larry... but what was the name of that one kid who Boston brought up for that one game? The kid looked like a future star."

"Star? Heck, Fred, the kid didn't do squat! Wasn't his name Owen or Owens?"

"Yeah, that's him. Was it Bill Owen or Frank Owen? Was it Owen or Owens?"

"Good Lord Fred, who cares?! Do you really think anyone is going to buy these stupid cards... much less COLLECT them for decades and worry about what this clown's name was?"

"Good point, Larry. Billy Owens it is."

"Great, print him up and we can finish this job and head down to the saloon for a couple of five cent drafts and a good nickel cigar."

[Archive]

Posted By: Josh K.

Its obviously a slow day at the office for Hal

[Archive]

Posted By: Hal Lewis

I just have to find a way to locate the descendants of Frank Owens and get them to hire me to pursue collection of their 100-years of back royalty payments from the Fan Craze Company as a result of this error.

[Archive]

Posted By: Kieran

I beleive he played for Syracuse in the early 90's? Then went lottery in the NBA draft by I believe the Heat or Warriors.

"I have had balls thrown at me my whole life. When I turned 30 I started to really hate balls - I didnt like the smell, feel or taste!"

Yogi Berra - 1975

[Archive]

Posted By: Adam J. Moraine

Hal has way too much time on his hands.

Best Regards,

Adam J. Moraine