Paul Owens, 79; Had 48-Year Career With Philadelphia Phillies

Paul Owens, 79, a former general manager of baseball’s Philadelphia Phillies, died Friday at Underwood Hospital in Woodbury, N.J., after a long illness.

During his 48-year career with the team, Owens served as general manager when the team won National League Eastern Division titles in 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1980.

The 1980 team won the World Series, besting Kansas City in six games.

Owens was also the field manager of the Phillies team that won the National League pennant in 1983.

Born in Salamanca, N.Y., Owens served in the Army in Europe in World War II. After the war, he earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from St. Bonaventure University.

He began his professional baseball career as a first baseman in the St. Louis Cardinal’s minor league system. Owens joined the Phillies organization as a player-manager in Olean, N.Y., in 1955. He remained with the team in various positions until he died.