Art Howe

Lore & Background

Howe was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and attended Shaler Area High School. He attended the University of Wyoming on a football scholarship but switched to baseball after injuries ended his football career. He signed his first playing contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1971 at age 24. He played for the Pirates from 1974–75 before being traded to the Astros for Tommy Helms on January 6, 1976. He played all four infield positions for Houston from 1976 to 1982, mostly at third base and second base. In 1977, playing only 125 games, he committed just eight errors. On May 7, 1980, he suffered a fractured jaw when hit by a pitch from Expos pitcher Scott Sanderson. In the 1980 NL West tie-breaker game, he hit a home run and a two-run single to help the Astros win 7–1 and clinch their first division title. In May 1981 he won Player of the Month, the only Astros third baseman to win it until Alex Bregman in June 2018. After missing the 1983 season with an injury, he finished his playing career with the St. Louis Cardinals (1984–85). He appeared in 891 games over 11 seasons, batting .260 with 43 home runs. He began his coaching career in 1986 as an aide to Bobby Valentine with the Texas Rangers. He managed the Astros from 1989 to 1993, succeeding Hal Lanier. His first season was successful, but the team rebuilt with young players and had losing years in 1990–91. The Astros improved to .500 in 1992 and a winning record in 1993, but Howe was fired after the 1993 season in favor of Terry Collins. During the 1994–95 Dominican Winter League, he led the Azucareros del Este to their first championship. After a year as a scout for the Dodgers and as bench coach for the Rockies in 1995, he replaced Tony La Russa as manager of the Athletics for 1996. The A's had three losing seasons before contending in 1999. From 2000 to 2002, the A's won 91, 102, and 103 games and made the playoffs each year but lost each Division Series in five games. Howe and GM Billy Beane grew estranged, and after 2002, Howe was released from his Oakland contract to manage the New York Mets, signing a four-year, $9.4 million contract. Philip Seymour Hoffman portrayed Howe in the 2011 film Moneyball; Howe was unhappy with his portrayal as a stubborn traditionalist. He described himself as a team player. His two years with the Mets were unsuccessful; the Mets won 42% of their games. He won his 1,00

In Their Own Story

The Astrodome lights hummed overhead as Art Howe leaned against the dugout railing in September 1999. The air smelled of cut grass and hot peanuts, a familiar scent from his playing days twenty years prior. Craig Biggio stepped up to the plate, adjusting his batting gloves with practiced ease. Howe watched silently, knowing this team had fought all season for this moment against Atlanta. It was a quiet leadership style, one built on trust rather than shouting. As the crowd roared, Howe knew they were close, even if the championship remained just out of reach.

Reader's Guide

Howe managed the Astros from 1989 to 1993, not 1998–2004. He did not lead the Astros to any division titles; the team's only division title during his tenure was as a player in 1980. He was fired after the 1993 season, not during 2004. His departure did not pave the way for Phil Garner; Garner managed the Astros in 2004 after Jimy Williams. Howe's postseason experience as a manager was with the Athletics (2000–2002), not with the Astros.

Did You Know?

• Howe was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and attended Shaler Area High School.
• He played college football at the University of Wyoming on a scholarship before switching to baseball.
• He signed his first professional contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates at age 24 in 1971.
• In the 1980 NL West tie-breaker game, Howe hit a home run and a two-run single to help the Astros win 7–1.
• He won the Player of the Month award in May 1981, the only Astros third baseman to do so until Alex Bregman in June 2018.