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

Howie Pollet wrapped up his Major League Baseball career on September 23, 1956, pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Brooklyn Dodgers. The left-hander from New Orleans spent 15 seasons in the majors and earned a reputation as one of the more reliable arms of the 1940s and early 1950s.

He started with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he found his greatest success, then bounced around a few teams before finally hanging up his glove at 35.

Pollet’s retirement closed out a distinguished career with three All-Star nods, two World Series championships, and several National League statistical crowns. Honestly, his exit from the game didn’t come as a shock—his performance had slipped after the Cardinals traded him away in 1951.

In 1956, he split time between the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates but only managed 30 games. He just couldn’t recapture the dominance that once made him a premier National League pitcher.

But there’s more to Pollet’s story than just his final season. He rose from minor league standout to World Series champion, served during World War II, and later transitioned into coaching and business.

After retiring, he returned to baseball as a coach and built a solid business career in Houston with his old manager Eddie Dyer.

Howie Pollet’s Retirement in 1956

Howie Pollet wrapped up his 16-year Major League Baseball run in 1956 after a rough final season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. That season marked the end of a pitching career that included three All-Star selections and two National League ERA titles.

Final Seasons with Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and Pittsburgh Pirates

In his last few years, Pollet played for several teams as his effectiveness faded. After a strong run with the Cardinals, he joined the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1951 to 1953, then moved to the Chicago Cubs.

With the Chicago Cubs from 1953 to 1955, Pollet showed flashes of his old self. In 1954, he posted a respectable 3.58 ERA over 128 innings.

However, 1955 was tough—he finished with a 5.61 ERA in limited action.

The Chicago White Sox picked him up briefly, but he didn’t stick around long. He ended up back with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he’d played earlier in the decade.

These moves really showed the reality of an aging pitcher trying to hang on. His velocity just wasn’t there anymore, and his control wasn’t as sharp as it had been.

Performance and Statistics in 1956

In 1956, Pollet played his last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He appeared in 30 games, mostly coming out of the bullpen instead of starting.

His ERA jumped up compared to his earlier years. The pitcher who once posted sub-2.00 ERAs now struggled to stay effective at the big-league level.

Strikeouts became rare for him. He’d once struck out over 100 batters a season, but those days were gone.

His walks went up, and his strikeout rate dropped. He played his last game on September 23, 1956, closing out a career that began back in 1941.

Circumstances Surrounding Retirement

Pollet decided to retire after 1956, mainly because his performance declined and age caught up with him. At 35, he realized he couldn’t compete at the top level anymore.

He also had business interests outside baseball. Pollet worked with his old manager Frank Dyer in insurance, real estate, and energy in Houston.

World War II service interrupted his career during its peak, costing him the 1944 and 1945 seasons. Maybe that played a part in his decision to try something new while he was still relatively young.

After baseball, Pollet focused on his Houston business ventures. He stayed in the business world until he passed away from adenocarcinoma in 1974 at just 53.

Major League Career Overview

Howie Pollet played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1941 to 1956. He really made a name for himself as one of the National League’s top left-handed pitchers.

His best years came with the St. Louis Cardinals, but he also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago White Sox.

Debut and Early Years

Pollet debuted on August 20, 1941, at age 20 with the St. Louis Cardinals. In his first game, he pitched a complete game win against the Boston Braves, allowing just 4 hits and striking out 7.

He quickly proved himself as a rookie. That year, he went 5-2 with a sharp 1.93 ERA.

His early run continued into 1942 and 1943. In 1943, he led the National League with a 1.75 ERA and earned his first All-Star nod.

World War II interrupted things. He served in the Army Air Forces in the Pacific from 1944 to 1945, missing two seasons.

Teams Played For Across the National League

Pollet’s best stretch came with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1941 to 1943 and again from 1946 to 1951. He put up a 97-65 record there, including a monster 1946 season with 21 wins, a 2.10 ERA, and 266 innings pitched.

The Pittsburgh Pirates picked him up on June 15, 1951. He played there from 1951 to 1953, but his numbers dipped.

He moved to the Chicago Cubs from 1953 to 1955. The Cubs gave him a shot, but he never really found his old form.

Pollet finished his career with short stints on both Chicago teams. He played for the Chicago White Sox in 1956, then returned to the Pittsburgh Pirates for his last games in September 1956.

Notable Trades and Team Changes

The biggest trade of Pollet’s career happened on June 15, 1951, when the Cardinals sent him to the Pittsburgh Pirates. That deal ended his most productive years.

As a Cardinal, Pollet posted a winning record and made three All-Star teams in 1943, 1946, and 1949.

After the trade, his performance dropped off. He went 34-51 with the teams he played for after St. Louis, compared to 97-65 with the Cardinals.

In 1956, he bounced between teams, starting with the White Sox and finishing with the Pirates on September 23.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Howie Pollet stood out as one of the most effective left-handed pitchers of the 1940s. He earned three All-Star selections, two ERA titles, and put up strikeout numbers that really set him apart.

All-Star Appearances

Pollet got picked for the All-Star Game three times: in 1943, 1946, and 1949. His first selection came in 1943 after he posted a 1.75 ERA in just half a season—then he left for the Army Air Force.

He made the All-Star team again in 1946, right after returning from military service. That year, he helped the Cardinals win the World Series and led the league with a 2.10 ERA.

His last All-Star nod came in 1949, even though he was already dealing with arm trouble. He still showed enough to earn a spot among the National League’s best pitchers.

ERA Titles and Pitching Records

Pollet won two National League ERA titles in his career. In 1943, he dominated with a 1.75 ERA over 118 innings before heading off to serve.

His best season was 1946, when he led the league with a 2.10 ERA, threw 266 innings, and went 21-10. That performance helped the Cardinals reach the World Series.

When you look at the 1940s, not many pitchers managed to keep their ERAs that low over several seasons. It’s pretty impressive.

Strikeouts and Complete Games

Back in the minors at New Iberia, Pollet struck out 212 batters in just 163 innings. That kind of strikeout rate was rare back then.

In the majors, he finished with 131 wins and 116 losses in 407 games. He usually showed great control and could finish games when his arm was healthy.

Arm injuries slowed him down after 1946. Still, Pollet kept his reputation as a pitcher who could locate pitches and change speeds throughout his 16-year career.

Postseason and World Series Success

Howie Pollet hit the top of the baseball world in 1946, helping the St. Louis Cardinals win the National League pennant and make it to the World Series. His clutch pitching against the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Red Sox showed he could handle big moments.

1946 National League Pennant Race

The 1946 pennant race between the Cardinals and Dodgers was wild. Both teams finished with 96-58 records.

That tie forced the first playoff series in National League history. The Cardinals and Dodgers squared off in a best-of-three for the pennant.

Pollet started the opener and threw a complete game to lead the Cardinals to a 4-2 win over Brooklyn.

The Cardinals finished the job in Game 2 behind Murry Dickson, punching their ticket to the World Series.

Performance Against Brooklyn Dodgers

Pollet’s complete game in the 1946 playoff opener was huge for the Cardinals. He held the Dodgers to two runs and kept their offense quiet all day.

That win sent the Cardinals to their first World Series since 1944. It was probably one of the most important games of his career.

His clutch pitching under pressure really showed why people considered him one of the National League’s top hurlers.

World Series Showdown with Boston Red Sox

Pollet started two games in the 1946 World Series against the Boston Red Sox. That series turned out to be one of the most memorable Fall Classics ever.

He put up a 3.48 ERA over 12⅓ innings in the seven-game series. Even though he pitched well, he took a loss in his only World Series decision.

The Cardinals came out on top in seven games to grab the championship. Pollet’s pitching helped bring the franchise its sixth World Series title.

That World Series run came right at the peak of his career. The 1946 championship was the high point for the talented lefty.

Life After Playing Career

Howie Pollet stayed close to the game by coaching and built a successful business life in Houston. He teamed up with his former manager Eddie Dyer on several ventures outside of baseball.

Coaching with St. Louis Cardinals

Pollet came back to the St. Louis Cardinals organization as a pitching coach in 1959. Manager Solly Hemus, who lived in Houston, brought him back to the team that made him famous.

He worked as the Cardinals’ pitching coach from 1959 through 1964. During those years, he mentored young pitchers and passed along what he knew about the game.

His coaching stint with the Cardinals lasted six seasons. The team appreciated his experience as a former All-Star pitcher who helped them win the World Series in 1946.

In 1965, Pollet joined the Houston Astros coaching staff for just one season. That move brought him closer to his adopted hometown, where he already had business interests.

After 1965, he left baseball behind to focus on his business career.

Roles Outside of Baseball

Pollet built a successful business career in Houston after his days on the field. He teamed up with his former manager, Eddie Dyer, and together they explored several business ventures.

They worked together in insurance, real estate, and energy companies. Their partnership actually started while Pollet was still playing and continued for years.

Pollet even started working at Dyer’s insurance agency while he was still playing ball. He took insurance courses at the University of Houston to get ready for business life.

Jeff Cross, who also played for the Cardinals, joined their business partnership. The company expanded into several areas in the Houston region.

Pollet passed away from adenocarcinoma in Houston in 1974 at just 53. He managed to shift from baseball to business and stayed in his adopted city until the end.

Legacy and Recognition

Howie Pollet’s career brought him several hall of fame honors long after he retired. His reputation as one of the most reliable left-handed pitchers of his era still stands strong with baseball historians.

Hall of Fame Inductions and Honors

Pollet got his first major recognition in 1967 when the Diamond Club of New Orleans Hall of Fame inducted him. That honor arrived just over a decade after he retired from pro baseball.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame brought him in as a member in 1973. They celebrated his rise from Fortier High School standout to major league success.

His most significant posthumous honor came in 1981, when the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inducted him. That statewide honor acknowledged his impact on Louisiana baseball and what he contributed at the top level.

These three hall of fame inductions show just how much Pollet meant to his home state’s baseball community. Each one highlights a different chapter of his career, from high school days to the big leagues.

Reputation Within Baseball History

Baseball historians often talk about Pollet as a pitcher who led the National League in earned run average twice. That 1.75 ERA in 1943 and 2.10 ERA in 1946 really stand out as elite numbers from baseball’s golden age.

He picked up three All-Star selections—1943, 1946, and 1949. These honors came at different points in his career, which says a lot about his staying power.

In 1949, Pollet grabbed The Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year award. Getting this kind of recognition from such a respected publication cemented his reputation as one of the sport’s top performers.

He also won a World Series with the 1946 Cardinals. That championship team helped shape post-war baseball, and Pollet pitched some crucial innings during their playoff run.