Dick Howser – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dick Howser wrapped up his eight-year Major League Baseball career in 1968, closing the book on a journey that started with All-Star recognition as a rookie shortstop with the Kansas City Athletics.

He grew up in Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida, and went from being a standout at Florida State University to a pro infielder who played for three teams during the 1960s.

Howser played from 1961 to 1968, putting together a .248 batting average with 16 home runs and 165 RBIs in 789 games as a shortstop and second baseman.

His rookie year in 1961 was his best, earning him All-Star honors and The Sporting News Rookie of the Year after hitting .280, stealing 37 bases, and scoring 108 runs.

After that early success with Kansas City, he played for the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees before he retired.

Howser’s story stands out because his 1968 retirement didn’t really mark the end. Instead, he started a new phase that would shape his legacy in baseball.

He jumped right into coaching and eventually became a legendary manager, guiding the Kansas City Royals to their first World Series title. His playing days really set the stage for what came next.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball Career

Richard Dalton Howser was born in Miami, Florida, on May 14, 1936, and grew up to be one of college baseball’s most celebrated players.

His journey from a small walk-on to Florida State University‘s first All-American is a classic underdog story.

Childhood and Family Background

Richard Dalton Howser was the oldest of four, born to Hubert Dalton “Dutch” Howser and Marjorie Felton Howser in Miami.

He had a sister, Joyce, and two brothers, Tom and Larry.

When Dick was a toddler, the family moved to West Palm Beach. His dad left his baking job in Miami and took over an auto body shop after they relocated.

Marjorie, Dick’s mom, stayed active in the community and even served as PTA president while he was in junior high.

The family loved sports, and his dad H.D. encouraged Dick to get involved early.

Dick played American Legion baseball as a kid, but his size held him back at first. Even as an adult, he stood just 5-foot-7 and weighed 150 pounds, earning him the nickname “the mighty mite.”

His brother Tommy, just a year younger, chased baseball too. Tommy signed with the Kansas City Athletics in 1956 and played two years in the minors.

Palm Beach High School Achievements

Dick’s high school baseball career started slowly because of his size. He didn’t even try out for the team until he shot up about six inches during his junior year.

Once he joined the Palm Beach High School team, he made an immediate impact. That year, his Wildcats team won the Class-AA State Championship—his first big baseball moment.

As a senior, Dick kept playing well and built a reputation as one of the area’s best. Still, colleges didn’t recruit the 125-pound shortstop much.

His graduating class included future actor Burt Reynolds and pitcher Fred Kenney. The three were in the same high school fraternity, which raised scholarship money for members who needed help getting to college.

Dick ended up with the fraternity’s $500 scholarship by default, since his friends already had athletic scholarships. That money made college possible for him.

Florida State University and All-American Honors

Dick chose Florida State University over a minor league contract, hoping to teach but still dreaming of baseball. The FSU baseball program was new when he arrived in 1955.

Coach Danny Litwhiler almost cut Dick at tryouts, telling his assistant, “That one is not big enough to be a batboy.” But Litwhiler gave him a shot, saying, “You got a glove. You got shoes. We’ll give you a tryout.”

Dick made the most of it. He fielded every ball cleanly and hit with authority, and in just a few minutes, he went from walk-on to recruit. Litwhiler told his assistant, “Well, I just recruited me a shortstop.”

His sophomore season in 1956 was outstanding. Dick hit .422 with an FSU record 38 hits, quickly becoming one of the best players in college baseball.

In 1957, Dick became Florida State’s first consensus All-American, making history for the school. He earned All-American honors again in 1958.

Over three years at FSU, Dick batted .375. His impact was so big that FSU’s baseball stadium was named Dick Howser Stadium in 1988.

Major League Debut and Professional Playing Career

Dick Howser started his eight-year MLB career with a strong rookie season in Kansas City. He later played in Cleveland and finished with the New York Yankees.

He mostly played shortstop and second base, showing off reliable fielding even if his offense was average.

Kansas City Athletics Debut and Rookie Impact

Howser debuted in the majors on April 11, 1961, for the Kansas City Athletics at age 24.

That first season, he played 158 games and picked up 171 hits, batting .280.

Speed was a big part of his game. He stole 37 bases and scored 108 runs in 1961.

On defense, Howser led American League shortstops in both putouts and errors that year. That kind of sums up his style—lots of range, some mistakes, but always aggressive.

He made the 1961 All-Star team and got named The Sporting News rookie of the year.

Howser stayed with Kansas City through 1963, but his offense never quite matched his rookie season.

Years with the Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians picked up Howser in 1963, and he spent four years there through 1966.

1964 was his only other season as a regular starter after his rookie year. The Indians gave him steady time at shortstop.

Teammate Tommy John called Howser “an aggressive, sparkplug type who’d lead both on and off the field.” John also said, “you could tell even then that Dick would make a fine manager.” That leadership really started to show in Cleveland.

Howser’s batting average hovered around .248 while he was with the Indians. He mostly contributed with his glove.

Those Cleveland years gave him experience that would pay off when he moved into coaching and managing.

Final Seasons with the New York Yankees

Howser joined the New York Yankees in 1967 and finished his playing career there, with his last game on September 27, 1968.

The Yankees used him mainly as a utility infielder, and he played both shortstop and second base.

He ended up with 789 games played and 617 hits over eight seasons. His career numbers: .248 batting average, 16 home runs, and 165 RBIs.

Playing in New York helped set him up for his future. He kept ties with the Yankees long after he stopped playing.

Howser’s playing days ended in 1968 against the Boston Red Sox. He went 0-for-1 in his final at-bat.

Right after retiring, the Yankees saw his leadership potential and baseball smarts.

Career Highlights and Contributions

Dick Howser’s eight-year career was defined by steady defense and base-running, with his rookie season as the peak of his offense.

His college years at Florida State made him one of the top shortstops in the country before he turned pro.

Notable Statistics and Records

Howser finished with a .248 career batting average in 789 games from 1961 to 1968.

His best season was 1961, when he hit .280, had 29 doubles, and stole 37 bases as a rookie with Kansas City.

He finished second in the American League in stolen bases that year, right behind Luis Aparicio. Over his career, he stole 105 bases in 139 tries, showing he was a smart runner.

In 1964 with Cleveland, Howser scored 101 runs, which put him second in the league and made him the only Indians player to break 100 runs that season. He led the team with 163 hits and tied for the league lead with 16 sacrifice bunts.

His career totals included 16 home runs and 165 RBIs. On September 10, 1961, he had a five-hit game against Minnesota, which included a triple and two doubles.

Awards and Recognitions

Howser’s rookie year got him a lot of attention in baseball. He finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, just behind Boston’s Don Schwall.

The Sporting News called him the league’s best rookie, and Topps put him on their All-Rookie team.

At Florida State, Howser became the first consensus All-American in 1957 and did it again in 1958, hitting .375 across three college seasons.

The American League picked him for the 1961 All-Star Game. He played as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning of the first All-Star game that year at Candlestick Park.

Kansas City Athletics manager Hank Bauer named him team captain in 1961, just months into his rookie year.

Retirement in 1968 and Immediate Coaching Transition

Dick Howser’s playing career in Major League Baseball ended in 1968 after his final season with the New York Yankees.

Howser didn’t take the usual route through the minor leagues after retiring. The Yankees brought him straight into a coaching role.

Reasons Behind Retirement

Howser retired from pro baseball in 1968 at age 32, after finishing up with the New York Yankees.

He played eight seasons from 1961 to 1968, appearing in 789 games as a shortstop and second baseman.

His rookie year with Kansas City was his high point, batting .280 with 37 stolen bases and 108 runs, and earning All-Star status.

After that, his performance dropped off. He ended up with a .248 career average and 617 hits.

Transition to Coaching with the New York Yankees

Howser moved from player to coach in a way that’s pretty rare for Major League Baseball.

Right after hanging up his cleats in 1968, the Yankees hired him as their third base coach.

He skipped the usual minor league coaching detour that most former players take.

The Yankees clearly valued Howser’s baseball knowledge and leadership. His experience with three different teams gave him a lot to offer in his new role.

Coaching Achievements and Influence

Howser spent the next 10 seasons as the Yankees’ third base coach from 1968 to 1978. He became part of one of the most successful eras in franchise history.

During Howser’s coaching tenure, the Yankees won three American League pennants. The team captured World Series championships in both 1977 and 1978 with Howser waving runners home from third.

His coaching experience with the Yankees set him up for his future as a manager. He learned a ton from some of baseball’s best and got a real feel for American League competition.

The decade-long run as a coach made Howser a respected figure within the Yankees organization. Both management and players noticed his work ethic and baseball smarts.

Managerial Legacy After Playing Days

Dick Howser went from a scrappy infielder to one of baseball’s most respected managers. He led the Yankees to division titles and then took the Kansas City Royals to their first World Series championship.

His managerial career covered some pretty pivotal moments for both franchises. Through his leadership, he influenced a ton of players.

Yankees Managerial Role and 1980 AL East Title

After a decade as the Yankees’ third-base coach, Howser finally got the manager’s job in 1980. He led the team to a 103-59 record and an American League East title.

The Yankees looked dominant in the regular season with Howser at the helm. In the 1980 ALCS, his Yankees faced the Kansas City Royals.

That series only lasted three games. New York advanced to face the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series.

Despite all that success, things got tense between Howser and owner George Steinbrenner. Their relationship soured over personnel decisions and team management.

Howser’s direct approach didn’t mesh with Steinbrenner’s hands-on style. After the season, Howser left the Yankees organization.

Kansas City Royals Championship Success

Howser joined the Kansas City Royals as manager in 1981, coming back to the club where he started his playing career. He took over a roster that already had George Brett and other core players.

The team improved right away under Howser. The Royals reached the playoffs multiple times during his time there.

Their big breakthrough came in 1985 when they captured the franchise’s first World Series title. The Royals defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.

Howser made some gutsy tactical decisions during that championship run. He managed the pitching staff well and made key moves throughout the postseason.

The 1985 World Series win was the high point of his managerial career. That championship brought him a lot of recognition.

His calm demeanor and strategic mind helped the Royals push through tough moments in the playoffs. The title really validated his approach to managing big-league talent.

Influence on Players and Teams

Howser always emphasized fundamentals and player development in his coaching. He worked closely with Willie Randolph and other infielders while coaching third base for the Yankees.

His attention to detail helped players sharpen their skills. Players respected Howser’s direct, honest communication.

He treated both veterans and rookies with respect but kept the standards high. His own playing experience made it easier for him to connect with guys on the roster.

Howser’s influence reached beyond just individual players. He promoted accountability and professionalism throughout the clubhouse.

His leadership style helped create winning cultures in both New York and Kansas City. Several players who worked under Howser later became coaches and managers themselves.

His teaching methods and strategic approach left a mark on a whole generation of baseball professionals.

Honors, Personal Life, and Lasting Impact

Dick Howser found tremendous success as a manager after his playing days, especially when he led the Kansas City Royals to their first World Series championship in 1985. But his biggest honor came after his passing, through the trophy that now bears his name and goes to college baseball’s top player.

Personal Challenges and Health Struggles

Howser faced his toughest challenge in August 1986, just after the All-Star game. Doctors diagnosed him with brain cancer at age 50, only months after his World Series triumph.

The news shocked the baseball world. Howser had just been at the top of his profession, managing the Royals to their first championship.

Even while battling illness, Howser stayed close to the team he loved. The Kansas City Royals stood by him throughout his fight.

He passed away on June 17, 1987, less than a year after his diagnosis. Howser was only 51 when brain cancer took his life.

His death hit baseball hard. Players, coaches, and fans remembered him as a dedicated leader who always brought out the best in his teams.

Legacy in Baseball and Honors

The Kansas City Royals retired Howser’s number 10 on July 3, 1987. He became the first player or manager to receive that honor from the franchise.

In 2009, the Royals unveiled a bronze statue of Howser at Kauffman Stadium. The statue stands behind the fountains in right-center field, a lasting tribute to his impact.

Florida State University also honored their former star. They renamed the baseball stadium Dick Howser Stadium in 1988, recognizing his influence on the program.

Howser was a two-time All-American at Florida State and the first consensus All-America student-athlete from Florida. His college success set the stage for his pro career.

Later, the field within the stadium was named Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium. This dual naming pays tribute to both Howser’s legacy as a player and longtime coach Mike Martin’s contributions.

Establishment of the Dick Howser Trophy

The Dick Howser Trophy came about in 1987, thanks to the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce. Each year, it goes to the top college baseball player in the nation.

This trophy really honors Howser’s incredible college career. He hit .375 over three seasons at Florida State University, which is just wild.

These days, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association handles the award. People often see it as college baseball’s version of the MVP Award from pro sports.

They present the trophy right before the first game of the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. Doing it at that moment just makes the honor feel even bigger.

If you win the Dick Howser Trophy, you join a pretty exclusive group of college baseball legends. The award keeps Howser’s legacy alive in the sport he loved, and honestly, that feels right.