Dick Howser
Born: 5/14/1936 in Miami, FL, USA
Died: 6/17/1987 in Kansas City, MO, USA
MLB Debut: 1961-04-11 | Final Game: 1968-09-27
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'8" | Weight: 155 lbs
Full name: Richard Dalton Howser
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Biography
Dick Howser was a talented position player in Major League Baseball, whose career spanned from 1961 to 1968. Born in 1936, Howser made a significant impact in the league during the early years of what would become known as the โExpansion Era,โ a time when new teams were added to the league and the game was evolving rapidly. Over the course of his career, he played in 789 games, tallying 617 hits, 16 home runs, and 165 RBIs, while maintaining a batting average of .248. Howser was known for his speed on the basepaths, evidenced by his 105 stolen bases, which showcased his aggressive playing style and ability to disrupt opposing defenses.
Howser's contributions to the game were recognized when he was named TSN Rookie of the Year, highlighting his potential as a standout player. He was selected as an All-Star twice during his career, underscoring his status among the elite talents of his time. After retiring as a player, Howser remained influential in baseball, later serving as a manager and leaving a lasting legacy in the sport. His career reflects the dynamic changes in baseball during the 1960s, a pivotal decade that set the stage for the modern game we know today.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 789 | 2483 | 398 | 617 | 90 | 17 | 16 | 165 | 105 | 367 | 186 | 0.248 | 0.346 | 0.318 | 0.664 | -514.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | KC1 | AL | 158 | 611 | 108 | 171 | 29 | 6 | 3 | 45 | 37 | 92 | 38 | 0.280 | 580.4 |
| 1962 | KC1 | AL | 83 | 286 | 53 | 68 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 34 | 19 | 38 | 8 | 0.238 | -268.4 |
| 1963 | CLE | AL | 49 | 162 | 25 | 40 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 22 | 18 | 0.247 | -125.4 |
| 1963 | KC1 | AL | 15 | 41 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0.195 | -125.4 |
| 1964 | CLE | AL | 162 | 637 | 101 | 163 | 23 | 4 | 3 | 52 | 20 | 76 | 39 | 0.256 | -399.5 |
| 1965 | CLE | AL | 107 | 307 | 47 | 72 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 17 | 57 | 25 | 0.235 | -84.9 |
| 1966 | CLE | AL | 67 | 140 | 18 | 32 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 23 | 0.229 | -137.7 |
| 1967 | NYY | AL | 63 | 149 | 18 | 40 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 25 | 15 | 0.268 | 250.3 |
| 1968 | NYY | AL | 85 | 150 | 24 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 35 | 17 | 0.153 | -329.2 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 94 | 80 | 167 | 228 | 5 | 50 |
| 3B | 14 | 13 | 9 | 26 | 2 | 3 |
| SS | 548 | 529 | 975 | 1428 | 93 | 284 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | KC1 | SS | 157 | 156 | 299 | 427 | 38 | 85 |
| 1962 | KC1 | SS | 72 | 72 | 138 | 191 | 13 | 37 |
| 1963 | CLE | SS | 44 | 42 | 80 | 90 | 9 | 15 |
| 1963 | KC1 | SS | 10 | 10 | 21 | 23 | 2 | 6 |
| 1964 | CLE | SS | 162 | 161 | 291 | 463 | 20 | 100 |
| 1965 | CLE | 2B | 17 | 12 | 25 | 38 | 0 | 8 |
| 1965 | CLE | SS | 73 | 69 | 119 | 173 | 7 | 33 |
| 1966 | CLE | 2B | 26 | 20 | 29 | 41 | 1 | 8 |
| 1966 | CLE | SS | 26 | 17 | 24 | 54 | 4 | 8 |
| 1967 | NYA | 2B | 22 | 21 | 55 | 46 | 1 | 15 |
| 1967 | NYA | 3B | 12 | 11 | 7 | 24 | 2 | 3 |
| 1967 | NYA | SS | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 1968 | NYA | 2B | 29 | 27 | 58 | 103 | 3 | 19 |
| 1968 | NYA | 3B | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1968 | NYA | SS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 94 |
| Third Base | 14 |
| Shortstop | 548 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | TSN Rookie of the Year | non-Pitcher |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State University | Tallahassee | FL | 1956, 1957, 1958 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Rookie of the Year | AL | 2nd | 6.0 | 20 | 6 |