Larry Howard
Born: 6/6/1945 in Columbus, OH, USA
Died: 5/11/2019 in Kingman, AZ, USA
MLB Debut: 1970-08-09 | Final Game: 1973-07-02
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 200 lbs
Full name: Lawrence Rayford Howard
Biography
Larry Howard, born in 1945, was a professional baseball player whose career spanned from 1970 to 1973. He primarily played as a position player and made his mark in Major League Baseball during a transitional period marked by the gradual shift from the tail end of the deadball era to the more offensive-minded approaches of the 1970s. Over the course of his career, Howard appeared in 133 games, recording 86 hits and driving in 47 runs, showcasing his ability to contribute offensively, albeit with a batting average of .236.
Howard's power at the plate was evident, as he hit six home runs throughout his career, which, while modest by today's standards, reflected the evolving nature of hitting during his playing years. Despite not being known for his speed, evidenced by zero stolen bases, Howard's role as a consistent presence in the lineup highlighted his importance to the teams he played for during his time in the league. Though his career was relatively short, Howard's contributions to the game remain a testament to the numerous players who shaped the transition of baseball in the early 1970s.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 133 | 365 | 36 | 86 | 19 | 0 | 6 | 47 | 0 | 37 | 85 | 0.236 | 0.305 | 0.337 | 0.642 | -306.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | HOU | NL | 31 | 88 | 11 | 27 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 23 | 0.307 | 240.4 |
| 1971 | HOU | NL | 24 | 64 | 6 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 0.234 | -90.5 |
| 1972 | HOU | NL | 54 | 157 | 16 | 35 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 17 | 30 | 0.223 | -204.5 |
| 1973 | ATL | NL | 4 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0.125 | 0.0 |
| 1973 | HOU | NL | 20 | 48 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 0.167 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| C | 123 | 99 | 641 | 46 | 10 | 4 |
| OF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | HOU | C | 26 | 22 | 125 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| 1970 | HOU | 1B | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1970 | HOU | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1971 | HOU | C | 22 | 14 | 106 | 12 | 1 | 2 |
| 1972 | HOU | C | 53 | 48 | 323 | 15 | 7 | 2 |
| 1972 | HOU | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1973 | ATL | C | 2 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1973 | HOU | C | 20 | 13 | 79 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 123 |
| First Base | 2 |
| Left Field | 2 |