Wilbur Howard
Born: 1/8/1949 in Lowell, NC, USA
Died: 12/17/2022 in Houston, TX, USA
MLB Debut: 1973-09-04 | Final Game: 1978-09-30
Bats: B | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 170 lbs
Full name: Wilbur Leon Howard
Biography
Wilbur Howard was a professional baseball player born in 1949, who played in Major League Baseball from 1973 to 1978. Primarily serving as a position player, Howard appeared in 466 games during his career, showcasing a blend of speed and contact hitting. He finished his time in the league with a batting average of .250, accumulating 267 hits and driving in 71 runs. Known for his agility on the bases, he also recorded 60 stolen bases, reflecting his ability to create scoring opportunities for his team.
Howard's career unfolded during a transitional era in baseball, as the sport was moving away from the deadball era and beginning to embrace a more dynamic style of play. His contributions on the field were significant in demonstrating the value of speed and versatility, characteristics that became increasingly important in the game. Although he hit only six home runs throughout his career, Howard's ability to get on base and steal bases made him an asset to any roster. His legacy is remembered as part of the fabric of 1970s baseball, a time marked by evolving strategies and player roles.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 466 | 1068 | 149 | 267 | 37 | 11 | 6 | 71 | 60 | 45 | 175 | 0.250 | 0.283 | 0.322 | 0.605 | -2586.6 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | ATL | AL | 16 | 39 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 0.205 | 0.0 |
| 1974 | HOU | NL | 64 | 111 | 19 | 24 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 18 | 0.216 | -396.8 |
| 1975 | HOU | NL | 121 | 392 | 62 | 111 | 16 | 8 | 0 | 21 | 32 | 21 | 67 | 0.283 | -213.4 |
| 1976 | HOU | NL | 94 | 191 | 26 | 42 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 18 | 7 | 7 | 28 | 0.220 | -778.7 |
| 1977 | HOU | NL | 87 | 187 | 22 | 48 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 11 | 5 | 30 | 0.257 | -642.7 |
| 1978 | HOU | NL | 84 | 148 | 17 | 34 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 0.230 | -555.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 7 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| C | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 320 | 202 | 523 | 18 | 7 | 3 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | ML4 | OF | 12 | 9 | 29 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1974 | HOU | OF | 50 | 23 | 65 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 1975 | HOU | OF | 95 | 81 | 194 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| 1976 | HOU | 2B | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| 1976 | HOU | OF | 63 | 35 | 96 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 1977 | HOU | 2B | 4 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1977 | HOU | OF | 62 | 33 | 100 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1978 | HOU | C | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1978 | HOU | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1978 | HOU | OF | 38 | 21 | 39 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 3 |
| Second Base | 7 |
| Left Field | 212 |
| Center Field | 73 |
| Right Field | 51 |
| Designated Hitter | 2 |