Salkeld Record Would Be Cowan’s Biggest Victory

Bobby Cowan knows all about Roger Salkeld. His fastball, his fame. And his records.

How could he not?

When you’re a pitcher for Saugus High, Salkeld’s name pops up about as often as the batters who tried to hit one of his high-velocity pitches.

Salkeld, many will remember, parlayed a blazing fastball and 404 career strikeouts into a 30-7 career record at Saugus from 1987 to 1989. After his days with the Centurions, he received a $225,000 signing bonus with the Seattle Mariners and remains one of the organization’s top prospects.

In many ways, Salkeld has not left.

Last month, Cowan, a junior and Saugus’ top pitcher this season, opened an issue of Sports Illustrated and there again was a picture of Salkeld, the subject of a letter to the editor written by a Saugus teacher.

“The kids are very aware of him,” Saugus Coach Doug Worley said. “But I don’t bring him up.”

He doesn’t have to.

“(Third baseman) Jayme Riggio talks about him a lot,” Cowan said. “He brags about how he was the best pitcher ever in high school.

“It’s challenging. Really challenging.”

Nothing to do but pitch and listen. But while Salkeld is where talk of pitching at Saugus begins, Cowan is where, well, it resumes.

Cowan might not come close to Salkeld’s fame, fortune or fastball, but he is in hot pursuit of at least one of his records. And he would dearly love to have it.

Last week, the red-headed Cowan, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-hander, posted two victories. He ran his record to 11-0 Tuesday by pitching three innings in relief in a 13-6 victory over Quartz Hill. The red-hot Centurions have won 13 games in a row.

Salkeld, now a member of the Mariners’ triple-A affiliate, holds the school single-season record for victories with 13 in 1989.

Cowan, with two weeks remaining in the regular season and at least one playoff performance likely to follow, has a good chance of outshining Salkeld in one category--wins in a season.

“I want to beat it, not tie it,” Cowan said. “That’s what I’m aiming at. It would be nice to have the record. They do mean something in a way. They give you recognition.”

Not that Cowan hasn’t had his share of records and recognition. Last fall, as quarterback of the football team, Cowan led the Centurions to a 6-5 record. He set school passing records of 1,607 yards in a season and 302 in a game.

Cowan’s 3-2 win in relief over Palmdale last week was his third over the Falcons this season. Cowan also earned the win in relief last week in the Centurions’ 6-4, eight-inning victory over Canyon, his second win over the Cowboys. Eight of Cowan’s victories have been against Golden League opponents.

“It seems like every time he steps on the mound, it’s a win,” Canyon Coach Scott Willis said.

Cowan’s work schedule gives him a big advantage over Salkeld. In 1989, Salkeld made 19 appearances--almost all starts--and finished 13-1 in 108 2/3 innings. Cowan, who has four complete games, has made 15 appearances this season and has thrown only 59 1/3 innings.

Five of Cowan’s victories have come in relief. Working in that capacity obviously has helped Cowan’s win total. But it is a role he concedes he has had to get used to.

“In high school, we don’t have many pitchers, so starters have to relieve sometimes,” he said. “Every pitcher does it. At least, until we get a good rotation going.”

He has followed orders well. Including Salkeld’s.

Although Cowan was not a student at Saugus while Salkeld was the talk of the town, the pair worked out briefly together two years ago during a visit by Salkeld.

“He was a big help,” Cowan said. “He taught me how to throw a changeup. And he taught me how to place it.”

Now, that must have been worth listening to.