The Obit For Paul Owens

Ex-Phillies GM, Manager Owens Dies at 79

Associated Press, 12-26-03 20:37 EST
 
'The Pope' Put Together 1980 Title Team, Led '83 Squad to World Series

PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 26) -- Paul Owens, general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies' 1980 World Series championship team, died Friday. He was 79.


Owens died at Underwood Hospital in Woodbury, N.J., following a lengthy illness, the Phillies said.

Owens, nicknamed "The Pope" because of his resemblance to Pope Paul VI, also managed the Phillies' team that won the National League pennant in 1983. He signed and helped develop some of the team's major stars of the 1970s and 1980s, including Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, Bob Boone and Greg Luzinski.

"Pope was one of my dearest friends and my mentor," said Dallas Green, who managed the 1980 Phillies. "He was one of the best baseball men I've been around. He taught me so much about baseball and life. He had great judgment, tremendous patience and a love and feel for this game."


The former St. Bonaventure star served in the Army in World War II as a sergeant in an engineering company.

Born in Salamanca, N.Y., on Feb. 7, 1924, Owens is survived by wife Marcelle, sons Danny and Pat and five grandchildren.