Art Howe – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Arthur Henry Howe Jr., born December 15, 1946, in Pittsburgh, PA, spent 11 seasons grinding it out in Major League Baseball before calling it quits in 1985.

He bounced between three teams but stuck around the longest with the Houston Astros from 1976 to 1982. People still remember him for his rock-solid defense and coming through with big hits when it mattered most.

Art Howe’s playing career wrapped up on April 19, 1985, when the St. Louis Cardinals released him after he’d played just a few games that year. He finished with a .260 batting average, 43 home runs, and 293 RBIs in 891 games. But honestly, the stats don’t capture everything he brought to the field.

Howe’s baseball smarts and quiet leadership already hinted at the manager he’d become later on.

Retiring as a player didn’t slow him down. It actually kicked off a more prominent phase in his baseball life. He moved from the field to the dugout and ended up managing three MLB teams, even playing a big role in one of baseball’s most famous analytical revolutions.

From his early days in Pittsburgh to his time managing the Oakland Athletics, Howe’s story gives us a look at both the old-school and new-school sides of America’s pastime.

Early Life and Background

Arthur Henry Howe Jr. came into the world on December 15, 1946, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. That’s where he first caught the sports bug.

He started out playing high school football, but injuries nudged him toward baseball at the University of Wyoming.

Family and Childhood in Pittsburgh

Howe grew up in Pittsburgh, surrounded by a city that lived and breathed sports and hard work. His family raised him with strong values that stuck with him throughout his baseball journey.

During these years, he met his high school sweetheart, the woman he’d later marry.

Pittsburgh’s deep baseball roots probably helped spark his interest in the game. But funny enough, he focused on football at first, which shaped most of his high school days.

The city’s blue-collar vibe taught Howe about grit and perseverance. Those traits became trademarks of his style as both a player and a manager.

Shaler Area High School Achievements

Howe went to Shaler Area High School in Pittsburgh and put most of his energy into football. His athletic talent stood out early, and he landed a college football scholarship thanks to his high school play.

Even back then, Howe showed off the kind of leadership that would make him a good manager someday. Coaches and teammates noticed his sharp mind and tireless work ethic.

Those high school years laid the groundwork for his sports career. Football success opened up college opportunities he might not have gotten otherwise.

It was also around this time that his relationship with his future wife started to get serious. That stability at home would help him handle the ups and downs of pro baseball.

University of Wyoming Baseball Tenure

Howe took his football scholarship to the University of Wyoming, but fate had other plans. Injuries cut his football dreams short, so he had to rethink his future in sports.

After football was off the table, Howe switched gears and focused on baseball. That decision turned out to be a huge turning point for him.

Starting baseball late meant he had to hustle even harder to catch up. Wyoming gave him the chance to prove he had what it took in a new sport.

He learned a lot about resilience and flexibility during those years. That came in handy when he signed his first pro contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates at age 24 in 1971.

MLB Playing Career Overview

Art Howe spent 11 seasons in the majors from 1974 to 1985, posting a .260 average with 43 home runs and 293 RBIs over 891 games.

He started out as a part-timer with Pittsburgh, but things took off for him in Houston. There, he became a regular infielder and even grabbed Player of the Month honors in May 1981.

Debut with Pittsburgh Pirates

Howe made his MLB debut on July 10, 1974, with the Pittsburgh Pirates at 27. He’d signed his first pro contract with them in 1971 after playing football at Wyoming.

His stint with the Pirates was short but important. He played part-time in 1974 and 1975, getting his feet wet in the majors while fighting for playing time.

The Pirates saw his potential but decided to trade him to the Houston Astros for infielder Tommy Helms on January 6, 1976. That move ended up changing Howe’s career.

Houston Astros: Prime Years

Howe really hit his stride with the Houston Astros from 1976 to 1982. He made a name for himself as a reliable infielder who could handle pretty much any position.

His best year came in 1977. He played 125 games, bouncing between 2B, SS, and 3B, and only made eight errors. That’s some serious defensive consistency.

Key Houston Achievements:

• Won Player of the Month Award in May 1981
• Became the only Astros third baseman to win the award until Alex Bregman did it in 2018
• Hit a crucial home run in the 1980 NL West tie-breaker game

In that 1980 playoff game against the Dodgers, Howe came up big. He blasted a home run in the third inning to put the Astros up 4-0, then added a two-run single in the fourth to stretch the lead to 7-0.

Things didn’t always go smoothly, though. On May 7, 1980, Expos pitcher Scott Sanderson hit Howe with a pitch and fractured his jaw. Even so, Howe kept showing up for Houston.

Late Career with St. Louis Cardinals

Howe missed all of 1983 because of injury. After that, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.

During his last two seasons (1984-1985), the Cardinals mostly used him as a PH and an occasional starter around the infield. His role shrank a lot compared to his Houston days, which happens as players age.

St. Louis let him go in April 1985, and that’s when his playing days ended. His last MLB game was on April 19, 1985, against his old team, the Pirates.

He was a veteran just trying to squeeze out a little more time in the big leagues. Even as his bat cooled off, Howe’s baseball IQ and experience brought value to the team.

Positions Played and Fielding Versatility

Howe’s versatility was his calling card. He played every infield spot, though he mostly stuck to 3B and 2B.

Position Breakdown:

• Third Baseman: Main position with the Astros
• Second Baseman: Another frequent spot in Houston
• First Baseman: Filled in when needed
• Shortstop: Didn’t play there much, but held his own

Managers loved having someone like Howe who could move around the infield so easily. It gave them more options for making late-game moves.

His defense paired nicely with his steady bat. Howe never hit for a ton of power, but his .260 average showed he could make contact and handle pressure situations.

Statistical Highlights and Achievements

Art Howe’s 11 years in the majors gave him a .260 batting average, 43 home runs, and 293 RBIs in 891 games.

He put up his best numbers with the Houston Astros, including his only MVP votes in 1981.

Batting Average and Offensive Metrics

Howe’s career batting average of .260 made him a solid contact hitter. In 1981, he hit .296 for the Astros, which was his best season at the plate. That year, he also posted a career-high on-base percentage of .365.

The third baseman showed solid plate discipline. Over his career, he kept an OPS of .708.

His hottest stretch at the plate was from 1977 to 1981 with Houston, averaging .273 during those five years.

The 1978 season was a standout: Howe hit .293 with 123 hits in 119 games. His OPS+ of 125 that year put him well above league average for offense.

Run Production: RBI, Home Runs, and Runs Scored

Howe drove in 293 runs over his career, peaking at 58 RBIs in 1977. He hit 43 career home runs, with a personal best of 10 in 1980.

He scored 268 runs in total, with 46 coming in 1977. That season really was his most complete offensive year with the Astros.

Houston got the bulk of his production. In seven years with the Astros, Howe collected 266 RBIs and 39 home runs—that’s about 91% of his total RBIs and homers.

Notable Streaks and Milestones

In 1981, Howe finished 18th in MVP voting—the only time he landed on those ballots. That year, he hit .296 with 107 hits, and his plate discipline stood out: 41 walks to just 23 strikeouts.

He finished his career with 682 hits. His best back-to-back seasons were 1977 and 1978, when he notched 109 and 123 hits.

Howe played in three postseason series, all with Houston in 1980 and 1981. Over 11 playoff games, he batted .212 with one homer and three RBIs.

Transition to Coaching and Managerial Career

Once his playing days ended in April 1985, Arthur Henry Howe didn’t waste time jumping into coaching and managing.

He joined the Texas Rangers’ coaching staff that same year, then eventually circled back to manage his old team, the Houston Astros.

Coaching with the Texas Rangers

After the Cardinals let him go in April 1985, Howe got a few offers to stay in baseball. The Cardinals wanted him as a minor-league hitting instructor.

But then Bobby Valentine, who’d just taken over as Texas Rangers manager, called. Valentine added Howe to the Rangers’ coaching staff.

“He came highly recommended by (his ex-Astros teammates) Nolan Ryan and Phil Garner,” Valentine told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. That kind of backing from respected players definitely helped.

Howe coached with the Rangers from 1985 to 1988. Those four years gave him a fresh perspective, working with big-league players from the bench.

People already saw him as a smart, hard-working player, so coaching felt like a natural next step. Texas gave him the foundation he’d need for a future as a manager.

Early Managerial Role with Houston Astros

In 1989, Howe returned to the Houston Astros—this time as their manager, not a player. It was his first shot at managing in the big leagues.

Howe led the Astros from 1989 to 1993. He already knew the organization well, having played there for seven years.

During his offseasons as a player, Howe managed teams in Puerto Rico to get ready for a baseball job after retiring. That experience came in handy when he took over the Astros.

Moving from player to manager with the same team made the adjustment smoother. Houston gave him the chance to grow as a manager at the highest level.

That job launched a managing career that would later take him to the Oakland Athletics and New York Mets.

Legacy with the Oakland Athletics and Moneyball Era

Howe’s run with the Oakland Athletics from 1996 to 2002 was something special.

He led the team to three straight playoff appearances and helped usher in a new era of baseball analytics. His partnership with general manager Billy Beane was a big part of baseball’s transformation, even if they didn’t always see eye to eye.

Leadership Under Billy Beane

Art Howe managed the Athletics while Billy Beane brought in sabermetrics, a data-driven approach that really shook up baseball. From 1996 to 2002, Howe led Oakland to a 600-533 record and a .530 winning percentage, all while working with a pretty tight budget.

The Athletics made the playoffs three years in a row from 2000 to 2002. They won 91 games in 2000, racked up 102 in 2001, and somehow topped that with 103 in 2002.

But each season ended with a loss in the American League Division Series. Twice, the New York Yankees knocked them out, and the Minnesota Twins did it once.

Howe and Beane clashed as Beane pushed analytics over old-school baseball wisdom. The tension really came down to player usage and strategy, with Beane trusting stats more than traditional scouting.

Even though they butted heads, Howe still managed to adapt to Beane’s system. He called himself a “team player,” even if he had doubts about some of the new methods, which says a lot about his willingness to roll with change.

Key Players Managed: Jason Giambi and Others

During his time in Oakland, Howe managed several players who became central to the whole Moneyball idea. Jason Giambi, for example, really stood out as an offensive force, showing off his high on-base percentage—exactly what Beane wanted.

The Athletics built their roster around players with undervalued skills, not just the usual flashy stats. Howe worked with position players who focused on getting on base rather than piling up stolen bases or boosting their batting average.

Scott Hatteberg became the poster child for the Moneyball shift, switching from catcher to first base to maximize his on-base skills. Chad Bradford’s funky submarine pitching and Jeremy Giambi’s patience at the plate also showed how Oakland did things differently.

Howe led these players through that wild 20-game winning streak in 2002. That run really proved that analytics could work, especially since Oakland’s payroll was only about a third of the Yankees’ $125 million.

Media Portrayals: Moneyball Book and Film

Michael Lewis’s 2003 book “Moneyball” painted Howe as resistant to Beane’s analytics, setting up this classic conflict between tradition and modern baseball. The book really leaned into the idea of Howe as a “stubborn traditionalist” who doubted Beane’s numbers-first approach.

In the 2011 film, Philip Seymour Hoffman played Howe, and the movie dialed up the tension between manager and general manager. The film made Howe look like a figurehead while Beane pulled the strings from the front office.

Howe wasn’t happy with either portrayal. He said both the book and the movie got his relationship with Beane wrong and didn’t reflect how decisions actually got made. He pushed back against being cast as totally opposed to analytics.

Still, the media coverage locked Howe in as a central figure in baseball’s analytics revolution. Even if he felt misunderstood, his name became tied to the sport’s shift from scouting to data-driven decisions.

Further Managerial and Post-Playing Highlights

Art Howe’s post-playing career took him to several major league teams. He managed the New York Mets from 2003-2004 and took on coaching roles with the Colorado Rockies and in Oakland after Tony LaRussa left.

Tenure with the New York Mets

Howe signed a four-year, $9.4 million deal to manage the Mets after leaving Oakland in 2002. Expectations ran high because of his success with the A’s.

His time in New York turned out pretty rough. The Mets only managed to win 42 percent of their games over two seasons.

In 2003, the team finished 66-95, landing in fifth place in the National League East. The next season, they improved a bit to 71-91, but still only climbed to fourth in the division.

Howe did notch his 1,000th managerial win on April 20, 2003, with a 7-4 victory over the Florida Marlins. That was a bright spot in an otherwise tough stretch.

But the front office kept changing general managers, which made things unstable. Attendance at Shea Stadium dropped a lot during his time there.

Word got out that Howe would be fired two weeks before the 2004 season ended. The team let him finish out the year, and then Omar Minaya brought in Willie Randolph to replace him.

Contributions with Colorado Rockies

After leaving Oakland following the 1995 season, Howe joined the Colorado Rockies as their bench coach for 1995. That role gave him a taste of National League baseball before he managed again.

Working in Colorado let Howe experience a new team culture. He also had to figure out how to handle the challenges of playing at Denver’s high altitude.

His time with the Rockies was short but important for his growth as a coach. That job helped him move from scouting with the Dodgers back into managing.

The bench coach gig in Colorado really prepared Howe for future managerial jobs. He picked up new coaching ideas and learned different ways to run a team.

Collaboration with Tony LaRussa

Howe took over as manager of the Oakland Athletics in 1996, right after Tony LaRussa left for the St. Louis Cardinals. That was a big change for the franchise.

LaRussa had built a winning tradition in Oakland, so Howe inherited a team with high expectations. People couldn’t help but compare the two managers.

LaRussa was famous for bold strategies, but Howe brought his own style to the job. Over his seven seasons, he developed a different approach to managing.

From 2000 to 2002, Howe led the A’s to their best seasons, with 91, 102, and 103 wins, making the playoffs each year. That stretch became the high point of his time in Oakland.

Personal Life and Lasting Impact

Art Howe built his reputation as a steady, reliable presence both on and off the field. His influence reached far beyond his stats, and people across several organizations respected him as a mentor and leader.

Reputation and Influence on Baseball

Art Howe earned a reputation as a “good company man,” always professional and putting the team first. He played all four infield positions well, which made him a real asset wherever he went.

Howe valued fundamentals and reliability. In 1977, playing for Houston, he made just eight errors while covering multiple positions. That kind of consistency really defined his career.

His reputation as a team player carried over when he became a manager. Even when he disagreed with Billy Beane’s sabermetric approach, Howe kept things professional and followed the organization’s lead.

Players respected Howe, which helped him transition smoothly from player to manager. He connected with both veterans and younger players as he managed in three different organizations.

Enduring Mentorship and Leadership Qualities

Howe’s leadership style centered on developing young talent and keeping team chemistry strong. While managing the Houston Astros, he worked closely with future stars Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio, helping them get their careers off the ground.

He took a patient approach to player development. The Astros improved from 65 wins in 1991 to 85 wins in 1993 under his leadership, which says a lot about his ability to guide a team through tough times.

As a bench coach with the Texas Rangers, Howe mentored manager Ron Washington, who had worked for him in Oakland. That relationship showed Howe’s ongoing influence on baseball leadership, even after he stopped managing.

Howe stuck to coaching fundamentals and preparation. Players often praised his attention to detail and his knack for communicating with people across different generations and backgrounds.

Recognition Beyond the Field

Howe stayed true to his Pittsburgh roots and leaned on family values. He married his high school sweetheart and stuck by her side all through his baseball career. That relationship gave him some much-needed stability during the chaos of professional sports.

When the 2011 film Moneyball came out, more people started to recognize Howe outside of baseball. Still, he wasn’t thrilled with how the movie showed his relationship with Billy Beane or his style as a manager.

Family legacy lives on in his son Matt, who went after a professional baseball career too. Matt made it to Double-A in 2002, and honestly, that says a lot about Howe’s influence on the next generation.

In 2020, Howe fought through COVID-19, and the baseball community really took notice. People showed genuine respect and concern for him. When he finally recovered and came back home, he showed the same kind of grit he always brought to the game.