Howie Judson – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Howard “Howie” Judson made his mark in baseball history over seven seasons in the major leagues from 1948 to 1954. This right-handed pitcher from tiny Hebron, Illinois, faced challenges that could have ended most careers before they even started, but he stuck with it through sheer grit and determination.

Judson played his entire major league career with serious vision problems, after losing sight in his left eye from a childhood injury. That made him one of the most remarkable players ever to take the mound. Even with this major obstacle, he managed 208 major league appearances split between the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Redlegs. He became the first player from his small hometown to reach the big leagues.

His story is about much more than stats or box scores. Starting as a two-sport star in high school, Judson’s journey through the minors shows the dedication needed to compete at baseball’s highest level. His career gives a glimpse into post-war baseball and the challenges of playing with physical limitations. He showed the kind of determination you just don’t see every day—especially from a generation of players who wouldn’t let anything get in their way.

Howie Judson’s Early Life and Background

Howard Kolls Judson grew up in a middle-class family in rural Illinois. He turned into a standout two-sport athlete and earned a scholarship to the University of Illinois, where he shined in both basketball and baseball.

Birth and Family Origins

Howard Kolls Judson was born on February 16, 1925, in Hebron, Illinois. This little village in McHenry County had about 600 residents and sat 75 miles northwest of Chicago, not far from the Wisconsin border.

He was the oldest of four children born to Clarence L. and Jessie Henrietta (Kolls) Judson. His dad worked as a contractor and stonemason, so the family enjoyed a stable, middle-class life.

Howie’s athletic ability showed up early. His younger siblings also found success in sports. His twin brothers, Paul and Phil, helped lead Hebron High School to the 1952 Illinois State basketball championship.

At tiny Hebron High School, which had fewer than 100 students, Judson stood out as a two-sport star. He played forward on the basketball team and was known for his “terrific one hand shot.” His senior year in 1942-43, he made the prestigious All-State High School basketball team.

Education and College Baseball

Judson’s basketball skills caught the attention of college recruiters from all over. He accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the fall of 1943.

During his freshman season, Judson got significant playing time for coach Doug Mills’ Fighting Illini basketball team. He really stood out in a 15-point game where he hit a last-minute shot to hand the University of Kentucky one of only two losses that season.

That spring, Judson swapped his basketball sneakers for baseball cleats. He played for coach Wallie Roettger’s baseball team and kept up his summer baseball career in McHenry County.

In his sophomore year, Judson earned Honorable Mention on the AP All Western Conference basketball team, despite missing several weeks because of an ankle injury. On the baseball field, he attracted major league scouts and even pitched an exhibition game against the Cleveland Indians.

Judson’s college career ended early when the US Navy drafted him in mid-August 1945. He served at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center north of Chicago for three months, then received an honorable discharge.

Path to Professional Baseball

Judson’s path to the majors started in 1946. He grabbed the attention of major league scouts with strong performances in semipro baseball. Signing with the Chicago White Sox in July 1946 kicked off a professional career that stretched nearly a decade in organized baseball.

Minor League Beginnings

White Sox manager Ted Lyons noticed Judson during a workout in July 1946 and offered him his first professional contract on July 23, 1946. The 21-year-old pitcher spent his first weeks sitting in the White Sox dugout during an August homestand, taking in major league baseball up close.

The White Sox then sent Judson to the Waterloo White Hawks in the Class B Three-I League. He made seven appearances for Waterloo in his short 1946 debut season. That first taste of professional baseball gave him a chance to adjust to tougher competition.

Going pro was a big step for the young pitcher from Hebron. Even though his first stint in 1946 was brief, Judson showed enough promise to earn a spot back in Waterloo for 1947.

Breakthrough with Waterloo White Hawks

Judson’s 1947 season with Waterloo changed everything. He became one of the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League’s top pitchers, finishing near the top in several statistical categories.

He racked up 16 wins and a 2.58 ERA over 202 innings. Judson also ranked among the top five for fewest hits allowed per nine innings, at 7.6. Those numbers made him a real prospect in the White Sox system.

Judson’s 13th straight win came during the league championship series against the Danville Dodgers. Even though the White Hawks finished fourth in the regular season, they won the league title with Judson playing a huge role in that unlikely championship run.

Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League Highlights

The Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League turned out to be the perfect place for Judson to develop as a pro pitcher. His dominant 1947 season proved he could handle a heavy workload and still stay effective.

Judson’s control over 202 innings showed the durability that would help him throughout his career. Limiting hitters to just 7.6 hits per nine innings highlighted his potential to climb higher in professional baseball.

Winning the championship series capped off his minor league success. His performance marked him as a prospect ready to move up in the White Sox system, paving the way for his major league debut in 1948.

Major League Career

Howie Judson pitched in the Major Leagues from 1948 to 1954. He spent most of his career with the Chicago White Sox, then finished with the Cincinnati Redlegs. Over seven years, he served as a right-handed pitcher despite big personal challenges, including vision problems that made it tough to field line drives back to the mound.

Chicago White Sox Tenure

Judson made his Major League debut on April 22, 1948, at 23 years old with the Chicago White Sox. He started against the Detroit Tigers at Comiskey Park, tossing 5⅓ scoreless innings before giving up three runs in seven total innings.

The 1948 season was rough for Judson and the White Sox. The team finished with baseball’s worst record at 51-101. Judson pitched in 40 games, leading the club in appearances, and posted a 4-5 record with a 4.78 ERA in 107⅓ innings.

His second season in 1949 got even tougher. After winning his first start against Detroit on April 21, Judson lost 14 straight games. That losing streak carried into the 1950 season, and he finally broke it with relief wins on back-to-back days at the end of May.

The 1951 season brought a change under new manager Paul Richards. Judson found success as a swingman, helping the White Sox notch their first winning record in decades. The team finished 81-73, and Judson went 5-6 with a 3.77 ERA in 121⅔ innings.

Transition to Cincinnati Redlegs

After five seasons in Chicago, Judson got traded to the Cincinnati Redlegs in 1953. For him, it was a chance to start fresh after struggling with consistency as a White Sox.

Judson spent his last two Major League seasons with Cincinnati from 1953 to 1954. He worked as both a starter and reliever, but control issues continued to haunt him.

His final Major League game came on September 25, 1954, against the Chicago Cubs. He pitched a third of an inning, allowed no hits, struck out one, walked one, and gave up no runs.

Role as a Right-Handed Pitcher

Judson leaned mostly on his fastball throughout his career. He worked with manager Ted Lyons to develop a curveball and changeup, but he never really mastered those pitches, so he stuck with the heater.

His pitching style changed a lot because of his vision problem in his left eye. The injury happened in high school when a wire staple from a slingshot hit him. That left him with sight in only one eye, making it risky to field hard-hit balls back at the mound.

Career Statistics:

• Record: 17 wins, 37 losses
• Games: 208 appearances
• Teams: Chicago White Sox (1948-1952), Cincinnati Redlegs (1953-1954)

Judson never used his vision as an excuse. Teammates often mentioned his selfless attitude and determination to compete at the highest level.

Notable Seasons and Challenges

Judson’s standout season came in 1950 when he became a steady reliever for the White Sox. He pitched in 43 games with a 3.49 ERA over 95⅓ innings, tying for third in the American League in appearances.

The 1951 campaign was his best all-around year. He helped the White Sox achieve their first winning season in almost 30 years, contributing both as a starter and reliever.

Control issues dogged him throughout his career. He walked a lot of batters, putting himself in tough spots time after time. That became his “career-long bugaboo,” as reporters put it back then.

His final Major League record of 17-37 showed the battles he faced. Still, playing seven seasons with major physical limitations took guts and real dedication to the game.

Performance Statistics and Career Achievements

Howie Judson’s seven-season Major League career was a mix of struggles and noteworthy moments. His 17-37 win-loss record showed the tough times, while his 4.29 ERA reflected solid, middle-of-the-pack pitching for that era.

Win-Loss Record and Winning Percentage

Judson wrapped up his MLB career with a 17-37 record and a .315 winning percentage. His roughest season was 1949, when he went 1-14 with the White Sox, for a .067 winning percentage.

He did better in his final season with Cincinnati in 1954, posting a 5-7 record and a .417 winning percentage. That was his strongest year in terms of wins and percentage.

His best individual season for wins came in 1951, when he went 5-6 for Chicago. The White Sox years were tough overall, as Judson went 12-29 (.293 winning percentage) in five seasons there.

Judson’s struggles with wins reflected what pitchers often go through on teams that don’t score much. Those 37 losses over seven seasons worked out to more than five losses a year.

ERA and Pitching Style

Judson kept a 4.29 ERA for his career, which was respectable in the high-scoring late 1940s and early 1950s. His best ERA came in 1951 at 3.77, while his worst was 5.59 in 1953.

He threw 615 total innings, allowed 619 hits, and struck out 204 batters. His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) was 1.525, so he let a fair number of runners reach base.

Control issues showed up in his walk totals. He issued 319 walks in 615 innings, which comes out to 4.7 walks per nine innings. That bumped up his WHIP and limited how effective he could be.

Judson completed eight games and notched 14 saves in his career. He started 48 games and appeared in 72 as a reliever, showing he could adapt to different roles.

Career Highlights and Milestones

Judson made his MLB debut on April 22, 1948, pitching for the Chicago White Sox at just 23. That rookie year turned out to be one of his best, with eight saves and a 4.78 ERA over 40 games.

In 1950, he hit his peak according to WAR (Wins Above Replacement) with a 1.8 WAR. He took the mound in 46 games, threw 112 innings, and finished with a 3.94 ERA.

He pitched for two franchises, spending five seasons with Chicago and two with Cincinnati. Over seven years, he showed durability by appearing in 207 total games, even if the results weren’t always perfect.

Judson pitched his last MLB game during the 1954 season for Cincinnati. He wrapped up his career at 29, known as a steady arm despite not having a winning record.

Minor League Successes and Later Playing Years

After his big league days, Judson actually found more success in the minors, especially with the Tulsa Oilers in the Texas League. Across eight seasons, he put up a 70-61 record, showing he could really hold his own at Triple-A.

Outstanding Tulsa Oilers Season

Judson’s best year as a pro came with the Tulsa Oilers. That team was a tough one in the Texas League, and he became a reliable starter.

He thrived in the Texas League, which wasn’t exactly an easy place to pitch. Those seven years in the majors gave him a leg up over hitters who were still trying to figure things out.

Judson’s time with Tulsa felt like a career renaissance. After some ups and downs in the majors, he finally seemed to find his groove in the minors.

The Oilers gave him a steady spot in the rotation and let him pitch deep into games. That consistency let him show off the skills that first caught the eye of big league scouts.

Achievements in the Texas League

During his Texas League stint, Judson put up some solid numbers. His career minor league record of 70-61 included several strong seasons with those clubs.

As a veteran pitcher, Judson brought leadership to the team. His major league background helped him guide younger players in the clubhouse.

He kept playing pro ball until 1959, five years after leaving the majors. That kind of staying power really showed how much he loved the game.

The Texas League really suited Judson in his later years. The competition kept him sharp, and he contributed to teams all over the Southwest.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Howie Judson finished his baseball career in 1954 after seven major league seasons, then made a successful transition to civilian life in Wisconsin. He spent a few decades working in the shipping industry before eventually retiring down in Florida.

1954 Retirement From Major Leagues

Judson wrapped up his major league run in 1954 with the Cincinnati Redlegs. A nagging back injury during spring training really affected that last season.

The Reds sent his contract to the Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League in 1955. That move pretty much signaled the winding down of his pro baseball journey.

He kept pitching in the minors through 1959. Judson played for teams in Portland, Miami, and Denver during those final years.

He officially hung up his spikes in 1959. At 34, Judson retired after 14 seasons in organized baseball.

Life Beyond Baseball

After he hung up his cleats, Judson landed steady work in Wisconsin. He started out in the shipping department at Stulper Company in Walworth, Wisconsin.

Judson didn’t just stick around—he climbed up and eventually led the shipping department. He put in years at Stulper, really building a solid second act after baseball.

Honestly, his work ethic and reliability made a difference in his new career. The dedication that defined him as a ballplayer stuck with him in the business world.

Later on, Judson moved down to Florida to enjoy retirement. He chose Winter Haven and spent his last years there.

Judson passed away on August 18, 2020, in Winter Haven, Florida, at age 95. They buried him in Linn-Hebron Cemetery back in his hometown of Hebron, Illinois.