Paul Owens

Nickname: The Pope
Born: Feb. 7, 1924
Died: Dec. 26, 2003 in Woodbury, N.J.

Paul Owens, who spent 48 years in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, died on Dec. 26, 2003 in Woodbury, N.J., following a long illness. He was 79.

During his career with the Phillies, Owens served in a number of positions from minor league player and manager to major league manager and general manager.

He served as manager of the Phillies in 1972 and in 80 games posted a 33-47 record. He served again as manager in 1983 and 1984. In 77 games in 1983, he managed the team to a 47-30 record and a first place finish. In 1984, the Phillies finished 81-81. In his career, he posted a 161-158 record as a manager.

As a general manager, he helped to put together teams that won division titles in 1976-78 and 1980. The Phillies were the first-half division champions in 1981 when the season was split because of a players' strike.

His minor league career lasted from 1951-53 and 1955-57. He won three batting titles in the minor leagues and finished with a .374 average.

He was nicknamed "The Pope" for his resemblance to Pope Paul VI, according to wire reports.