Del Howard

From BR Bullpen

George Elmer Howard

Bats Left, Throws Right
Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.

Debut April 15, 1905
Final Game October 6, 1909
Born December 24, 1877 in Kenney, IL USA
Died December 24, 1956 in Seattle, WA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Del Howard was a semi-regular with the 1907 and 1908 Chicago Cubs that won the World Series both years. He frequently played outfield and first base, and hit .279 in 1908 when the league average was .239.

He was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies from Omaha in 1904. He came up to the majors for the first time with the 1905 Pittsburgh Pirates who won 96 games. Howard became the regular first baseman, and hit .292 in a league that hit .255.

He was traded before the next season to the Boston Beaneaters, where he spent 1 1/2 years. Boston, which lost 102 games in 1906, used him in only two games at first base, preferring him instead in the outfield (87 games), at second base (45 games) and shortstop (14 games). He hit .261 on a team that hit .226.

The team was not much better the next year, and he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in mid-season. The Cubs, like the Pirates, were a top team. Howard played frequently in 1907 and 1908, although he did not dislodge either Frank Chance from first base or Frank Schulte from right field.

In 1909, his last season, his batting average dropped nearly 100 points.

Del's brother Ivan Howard, five years younger, came to the majors in 1914 and played four years. Like Del, Ivan played a variety of infield and outfield positions.