In a League of His Own

An all-time Cowboy baseball standout, Dr. Littleton Fowler throws the first pitch during an Oklahoma State versus Baylor game

by JENNIFER JORDAN

photo by ABBY ELLIOTT

On the 60th anniversary of being named the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series, Dr. Fowler was welcomed back to O’Brate Stadium to show off that strike-throwing left arm.

(Photo courtesy of Oklahoma State University Athletics)

Many people in Texarkana know Dr. Littleton Fowler as an optometrist who has practiced in his hometown for 55 years. Kind, thoughtful, and erudite, Dr. Fowler is devoted to his patients and only more so to his family. However, many people might not know that he is also devoted to baseball, having played for Oklahoma State University on scholarship and winning the Most Outstanding Player award as a pitcher in the College World Series in 1961.

Dr. Fowler shakes hands with Kevin Fite,  Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance & Baseball Sports Administrator for Oklahoma State University.

As a teenager in the late 1950s, Littleton Fowler played for Texas High School, proving himself talented enough to play summer baseball for a semi-professional team, the Texarkana Phillips 66 Dusters in the Four States League. Dr. Fowler’s high school pitching statistics were noticed by scouts of prominent major league teams during an era which some sports historians call baseball’s “golden age.”  He received scholarship offers to Texas A&M and TCU, but those offers were withdrawn when the schools learned that Dr. Fowler and his sweetheart, Diane Thornton, had married while still in high school. “I was also offered a grant in aid to play at Arkansas State, and I almost did it,” he recalls. “Instead, at the urging of three professional scouts—Hugh Alexander of the Dodgers, Tom Demark of the Phillies, and Fred Hawn of the Cardinals—my dad and I drove to Stillwater and talked to Coach Toby Green, who had just coached OSU to their first and only national championship in baseball. The recommendations of the three scouts were enough to allow me a half-scholarship to become a Cowboy.”

Dr. Fowler enrolled in OSU in the fall of 1959. “At that time, freshmen were not allowed to participate in games or travel with the varsity members, but we were fully engaged in practices,” he states. “I must have done okay because I received a full scholarship for the next three years,” he further quips. 

Dr. Fowler’s most prized accomplishment is his family.  He was married to the love of his life, Diane, for over 60 years, and they have three children, four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

OSU played well enough to reach the College World Series again in 1960, finishing third. In 1961, his sophomore season, Dr. Fowler played in games as a full team member. “I was third in the rotation. The weekend series were composed of two seven-inning games on Friday, then my start on Saturday was a nine-inning game,” he explains. Dr. Fowler demonstrated his pitching success. “My regular season record was 5-0. We won the Big 8 title, the regional series, and advanced to the College World Series. We finished second to the University of Southern California in the finals. I was the losing pitcher in the 1-0 game.” This loss came after he had pitched three games in five days, each game lasting over seven innings. “This is a stat that probably won’t be repeated these days with limited pitch counts,” Dr. Fowler remarks. For his impressive feat of allowing only 14 hits and 13 strikeouts over 23 innings, Dr. Fowler earned the Most Outstanding Player award for the 1961 series. 

During the Oklahoma State versus Baylor game on May 14, 2021, Dr. Fowler threw the first pitch of the game. (Photo courtesy of Oklahoma State University Athletics)

Dr. Fowler experienced some ups and downs in his final two years on the OSU team. “I was injured most of my junior year. I had pneumonia pre-season and injured my neck on our first road trip to University of Houston and Rice University. Then, I hurt my back in a batting practice accident and tried to play but was not effective. I finished the season 0-2.” Dr. Fowler’s senior year gave him perspective. “As a senior in 1963, my record was 4-3. But as a pitcher, it was my best year. Our team lost a lot of really good players. The guys played hard, but just didn’t have the same talent as the teams that had gone to the College World Series for three straight years.” Dr. Fowler further comments, “Anyone who has played baseball will probably agree that it is the most humbling game in sports (with the possible exception of golf).” 

Dr. Fowler’s senior season brought him the opportunity to continue his baseball career. “I was given the opportunity to play professionally in the St. Louis Cardinals organization but decided to go on to optometry school. The minor leagues would have been a wonderful experience, and in retrospect, I’ll always wonder what might have happened,” he reflects. “It is not, however, a great place for a wife and family.” OSU did not forget Dr. Fowler’s contributions to its baseball program; in 1996, he was inducted into the Cowboy Baseball Hall of Fame. 

After earning his bachelor’s degree in business, Dr. Fowler pursued a Doctor of Optometry at the University of Houston. “My father was a dispensing optician for many years in the old Texarkana National Bank Building, so eyecare has always been an interest,” he explains. “However, it was my fascination with contact lenses that drew me to the profession of optometry.”  

Dr. Fowler began practicing optometry in Texarkana in July 1966. It started and continued as a family affair. Fowler Eye Care “began as a family enterprise, and my wife was a great part of developing it, as well as my daughter, daughter-in-law, and sister, Jo Clayton. My brother, who was the most talented optician I’ve ever known, was my partner for nearly 40 years. He retired about 15 years ago.” Dr. Fowler sold his practice to Randall Glass, OD, in 2006, but continues to see patients at the office on Texas Boulevard. He comments, “I thought I wanted to retire, but I just can’t seem to leave.” 

Dr. Fowler credits his wife, Diane, as the inspiration for his life. They were married for 62 years until Diane’s passing this May. They raised three children—Littleton (Gus) Fowler, Jr., Robert Kirk Fowler, who is deceased, and Jamie Kathryn Patton. They also have four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. “We did not have a perfect marriage,” Dr. Fowler states, “but we had a love and devotion to each other and to our family that transcended any issues that arose. She raised a wonderful family. She worked hard to get us started and stayed by my side, even when I probably didn’t deserve it. She was both my inspiration and my treasure. I thank God for her every day.” Dr. Fowler lives by the Scripture, Philippians 4:13 – “I can endure all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 

When he is not practicing optometry and spending time with his family, Dr. Fowler enjoys reading, sports, thoroughbreds, Red Dirt country music, the arts, and the outdoors. He is an active member of First United Methodist Church-Texarkana, Texas. Dr. Fowler also supports Cowboy baseball as a season ticket holder and driving the 10-hour round trip for nearly every game. This past May, Dr. Fowler returned to OSU to be honored, along with the university’s first two African American players, during the university’s series against Baylor. He threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the first game. It was 60 years after his triumphant sophomore season. “It was quite a privilege to throw the first pitch on the first night.  The new stadium was open to full capacity after the Covid restrictions were lifted. It was also another example of how OSU doesn’t forget their alumni players. The athletic department is always staying in touch and including them in numerous activities.” Displaying his characteristic thoughtfulness, Dr. Fowler expresses his gratitude to his alma mater. “I owe OSU a lot. They were there for me when it counted most. I am honored and proud to be a Cowboy for life.”