Bruce Howard – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bruce Howard’s baseball career ended suddenly in 1968 when elbow problems forced him to retire at just 25. The young pitcher had already played for the Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and Washington Senators, showing real potential during his six years in the majors from 1963 to 1968.

Injury cut short Howard’s journey just as he was reaching his prime. He’d started out as the White Sox’s pick over future Cy Young winner Denny McLain in their farm system.

At 6’2″ and 170 pounds, Howard was a gifted athlete from Salisbury, Maryland. He made the rare leap from Class D ball straight to the majors at 20, back in 1963.

During that short but memorable career, Howard put up a 26-31 record in 120 games. He nearly qualified for the American League ERA title in 1966 with an impressive 2.30 ERA.

His story shows the challenges of pro baseball in the 1960s, from his days at Villanova University to his lasting impact through his son David, who also made it to the majors.

Early Life and Background

Bruce Ernest Howard was born March 23, 1943, in Salisbury, Maryland. He spent his early years developing the athletic skills that would eventually take him to Major League Baseball.

Howard’s path included a college education at Villanova University, where he sharpened his pitching before major league scouts started to notice him.

Family and Childhood in Salisbury, Maryland

Howard grew up in Salisbury, a small city on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Born in 1943, he came of age during the World War II era and the post-war boom.

His childhood in Salisbury gave him a typical small-town American upbringing. The community offered plenty of chances for young athletes to get better at sports.

Howard’s athletic talent showed up early. With his height and build, he had the physical tools to pitch at a high level.

The Howard family became part of baseball history when Bruce’s son David also reached the majors, making them the 127th father-son duo in MLB.

Education and Villanova University Attendance

Howard went to Villanova University, where he kept developing his baseball skills. The university gave him both an academic and athletic foundation.

His time at Villanova was key for his growth as a pitcher. College baseball let Howard test himself against strong competition.

The university environment helped him prepare for pro ball. He got valuable experience that paid off when he joined the Chicago White Sox organization.

Howard’s performance at Villanova caught the eye of scouts, which led directly to his signing with the White Sox.

First Exposure to Baseball

Howard probably started playing organized baseball as a kid in Maryland. The state had a solid baseball tradition that gave young players chances to shine.

His natural athleticism and size made him stand out as a pitching prospect. Those gifts, along with his developing skills, put him ahead of other young players.

Moving from youth baseball through high school and college, Howard faced new challenges at each level. These experiences helped him grow as a player.

By the time he reached Villanova, Howard had already built a reputation as a serious prospect. His college years paved the way for his pro career with the White Sox.

Major League Baseball Career

Bruce Howard played six seasons in the majors from 1963 to 1968, finishing with a 26-31 record and a 3.18 ERA over 120 games. He started with the Chicago White Sox and wrapped up his career with short stints on the Orioles and Senators.

Chicago White Sox Tenure

Howard debuted for the White Sox on September 4, 1963, at just 20 years old. The rookie from Salisbury made an immediate impact with a 2.65 ERA in seven relief outings.

He really broke through in 1964, posting a stellar 0.81 ERA in three starts. That year, he pitched a complete game shutout and showed off his control with a 2.13 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

In 1965, Howard became a full-time starter for the first time. He went 9-8 with a 3.47 ERA in 30 games, including 22 starts and 148 innings. That workload established him as a regular in the rotation.

Howard’s best year came in 1966, when he finished 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA. He completed four games, threw two shutouts, and struck out 85 batters in 149 innings. That season, his WAR reached a career-high 2.5.

The 1967 season was tougher. Howard ended up 3-10, though his 3.43 ERA was respectable. He made 30 appearances, 17 of them starts, but his effectiveness slipped.

Baltimore Orioles and Washington Senators

Howard’s final year, 1968, saw him play for two clubs. He started with the Orioles, pitching in 10 games (five starts) and posting a 3.77 ERA.

The Orioles traded him to the Senators mid-season. Things didn’t go well in Washington—Howard battled control issues and gave up 11.5 hits per nine innings.

With the Senators, Howard went 1-4 with a 5.36 ERA in 13 games. He started seven but couldn’t finish any of them. His walk rate jumped during this stretch.

The 1968 season marked the end for Howard in the majors. Between the two teams, he finished 1-6 with a 4.74 ERA—his roughest year as a pro.

Career Statistics and Highlights

In six seasons, Howard pitched 528.2 innings, allowed 449 hits, and struck out 349 batters. His career WHIP was 1.301, and he averaged 5.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

His top statistical years came with Chicago, where he posted a 2.91 ERA over five seasons. Howard completed seven games and recorded four shutouts, all with the White Sox.

Career Totals:

• Record: 26-31 (.456 winning percentage)
• ERA: 3.18
• Strikeouts: 349
• Complete Games: 7
• Shutouts: 4

Howard’s WAR of 2.2 shows he made a solid, if brief, contribution to the majors. His best years from 1964-1966 hinted at his potential as a starter.

Notable Moments and Milestones

Howard picked up his only career save on September 28, 1963, against the Senators. He pitched the last inning of a 7-2 White Sox win, allowing just one hit and one walk. The save stat didn’t exist then, so it was awarded retroactively.

His complete game shutout in 1964 came during that dominant three-start run. Howard’s 0.81 ERA over 22.1 innings is still one of the best short-season performances in White Sox history.

The 1966 season stood out for Howard, with two shutouts and four complete games. His 2.30 ERA that year ranked among the better marks for AL starters.

Howard made his final big league appearance for the Senators in 1968. After six seasons, he retired at 25, having proven himself a reliable pitcher during his White Sox days.

Career Development and Playing Style

Bruce Howard’s six years in the majors showcased a pitcher with solid fundamentals who peaked early but struggled with consistency later. His career moved from promising rookie to established starter, then faded as injuries took their toll.

Pitching Techniques and Approach

Howard threw right-handed and batted from both sides, standing 6-2 and weighing 180 pounds. His pitching style focused on control and movement, not raw velocity.

Stats show Howard tried to keep hitters off balance. His strikeout-to-walk ratio hit 2.13 in 1964, showing great command early on, but dropped to 0.86 by 1968 as his control slipped.

Howard’s WHIP of 0.806 in 1964 ranked among the best in baseball that year. Limiting baserunners made him effective, even without a ton of strikeouts.

His home run rate hovered around 0.8 per nine innings for most of his career. That suggests he pitched to contact but kept the ball in the park, a useful skill in that era.

Season-by-Season Progression

Howard’s career had a clear arc—early promise, a quick peak, then a steady decline. He debuted in 1963 at 20, pitching in seven games with a 2.65 ERA.

His breakout year came in 1964, when he posted a ridiculous 0.81 ERA in three starts. That earned him a 436 ERA+, meaning he was more than four times better than the average pitcher that year.

In 1965, he became a regular starter, making 22 starts and finishing 9-8 with a 3.47 ERA. He threw 148 innings, his first full season workload.

Howard’s peak came in 1966—he went 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA over 149 innings, completed four games, and tossed two shutouts. His 138 ERA+ was well above average.

Things started to slip in 1967. Howard finished 3-10, though his 3.43 ERA wasn’t bad. In 1968, he split time between Baltimore and Washington, posting a 4.74 ERA before deciding to retire.

Comparison to Contemporaries

Howard’s numbers put him about average for 1960s pitchers. His career 3.18 ERA stacked up well against the league average in a pitching-dominated era.

His 98 ERA+ suggests he was just below average after adjusting for ballparks and the era. He served as a solid starter, though never a star.

Howard’s strikeout rate—5.9 per nine innings—was modest for the time. The top pitchers like Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson topped 8.0 K/9 back then.

He didn’t have the durability of his peers. While top starters threw 250-300 innings a year, Howard’s high was 149 innings in 1966. That limited workload probably played a part in his short career.

Howard’s 1.46 career strikeout-to-walk ratio wasn’t elite, but it was decent. Throwing strikes and avoiding walks kept him competitive, even if he had some limitations.

Retirement in 1968

Bruce Howard’s baseball days ended during the 1968 season, after six years in the majors. He played his final game on September 7, 1968, as a Washington Senator, closing out a career that saw him play for three teams.

Circumstances Leading to Retirement

Howard’s road to retirement started with big team changes in his last season. The White Sox traded him, along with Don Buford and Roger Nelson, to the Orioles for Luis Aparicio, Russ Snyder, and John Matias on November 29, 1967.

He struggled with the Orioles, going 0-2 with a 3.77 ERA in just 31 innings during the early part of 1968.

The Orioles then sent him to the Senators before the June 15 trade deadline for Fred Valentine. That was his third team in less than a year, showing just how tough it was for him to keep his spot in the big leagues.

Howard’s final appearance came on September 7, 1968, against the Yankees. He pitched one inning, gave up two hits and two earned runs, and didn’t record a strikeout or walk. At just 25, that was the last time he pitched in the majors.

Impact of Retirement on Teams

Howard’s retirement didn’t really shake up the teams he left. The Senators, his last team, were rebuilding and saw him more as a depth arm than a key piece.

His exit opened up space for younger pitchers in Washington’s system. The team was already looking to develop new talent during that transition.

The Orioles had already moved on from Howard, trading him months earlier, so they didn’t miss him.

The White Sox, where Howard spent most of his career from 1963-1967, had already filled his spot with the trade that brought Luis Aparicio back. His absence didn’t have much effect on their pitching staff.

Reflections on Career Conclusion

Howard wrapped up his six-season career with a 26-31 record and a solid 3.18 ERA.

He racked up 349 strikeouts over 528⅔ innings in 120 appearances. That included seven complete games and four shutouts.

His stats showed a pitcher who had some real promise, though he often struggled to find consistency.

Teams traded him a few times in his final season, which suggested they saw him as more of a role player than a key piece.

Retiring at just 25, Howard was pretty young to leave the game. Maybe it was performance, maybe something personal—it’s tough to say for sure.

He bounced between three teams in 1968, which really shows how tough it can be to hang onto a spot in the majors.

Howard made the second-generation Major League Baseball players list, since his son David Howard also played in the big leagues.

Bruce also attended Villanova University, which gave him a strong educational base beyond just baseball.

Life After Baseball

Bruce Howard left behind his six-year MLB career and turned his attention to his family and staying in touch with the baseball community.

His son David followed his path, so the baseball legacy kept going in the Howard family.

Post-Retirement Ventures

Not much is out there about Howard’s life after baseball, but he stayed involved in the game by helping David develop as a player.

He retired in 1968 because of elbow problems and stepped away from the pro spotlight.

Howard’s biggest impact after retiring came from mentoring his son.

David Howard ended up playing eight seasons in the majors, mostly with the Royals and Cardinals from 1991-1999.

Bruce’s experience as a pro probably helped guide David through the ups and downs of the sport.

The Howards joined baseball history as the 127th father-son duo to make the Major Leagues.

Community and Personal Life

After his career ended, Howard settled into family life.

He focused on raising David, who would eventually make it to the majors too.

After retiring, the Maryland native kept a pretty low profile.

Instead of coaching or broadcasting like some former players, Howard chose a quieter life.

He put his energy into family and supporting David’s athletic dreams.

That investment paid off when David reached the big leagues in 1991.

Legacy Among Peers

Howard’s legacy isn’t just about his own numbers, but about his role in baseball’s family connections.

He played from 1963 to 1968 with the White Sox, Orioles, and Senators, making his mark in the sport’s history.

Teammates and baseball historians remember Howard as a talented pitcher whose career ended too soon because of injury.

His 26-31 record over 120 games hints at what could’ve been a longer, more successful run.

The father-son legacy really became Howard’s lasting mark on baseball.

David’s eight years in the majors showed how Bruce’s early influence and baseball knowledge mattered, keeping the family connection alive.

Net Worth and Recognition

Bruce Howard’s finances stayed modest compared to what players make now, which isn’t surprising given how salaries were in the 1960s.

He earned respect in the baseball world, even though he never picked up any major awards.

Estimated Net Worth at Retirement and Beyond

When Bruce Howard retired in 1968, his net worth was pretty average for a ballplayer of his time.

Back then, most players earned middle-class wages, not the huge paychecks you see today.

Howard’s five years in the big leagues with the White Sox, Orioles, and Senators gave him steady income, especially after he broke in with the White Sox at just 19.

After he retired due to elbow problems, Howard’s finances stayed private.

Unlike today’s players, guys in the ’60s didn’t have big contracts or endorsement deals, so most had to find regular jobs after baseball.

Without solid pension systems and with lower salaries, Howard’s baseball money gave him a foundation but not lifelong security.

His net worth likely stayed modest, which was pretty typical for players from his era.

Honors and Accolades

Bruce Howard didn’t get much formal recognition while he played in the MLB. When he joined the White Sox straight from Villanova University, people actually called him a “future star”—probably his biggest claim to fame.

At 6’2″, Howard brought real athleticism to the mound, and the fact that he could switch-hit definitely set him apart. Baseball analysts saw a ton of potential in him, but then those elbow injuries showed up and really changed the story.

Howard never picked up any major league awards or got an All-Star nod. Still, you’ll find his name in baseball reference databases and in the stats—so his MLB story sticks around for anyone curious, even decades later.

The White Sox probably saw him as a valuable prospect early on. Plus, coming from Villanova gave him a background that stood out compared to a lot of other players back then.