Sunday, May 31, 2009

1976 Topps #97 - Wilbur Howard




  • Wilbur Howard played from 1973-1978, mostly for the Houston Astros. He started in the Seattle Pilots/Milwaukee Brewers organization in 1968. Howard pitched 18 games in 1968 then was converted to the outfield in 1969. Wilbur played in the minors from 1968-1973 and was called up to the Brewers in September 1973. He batted .207 in 16 games.
  • Howard was traded to the Houston Astros in 1974 for a minor leaguer and Larry Yount. He probably tells his grandchildren that he was once traded for "Yount." Wilbur spent some time in the minors, then came back to the Astros and batted .216 in 111 at-bats.
  • He had his best year in 1975. Wilbur batted .283 with 32 stolen bases in 121 games. He dropped back to .220 in 1976 and didn't do much better in 1977 (.257 with an 11-game stint in the minors). Howard's last major league season was in 1978 (.230 in 148 at-bats). He played in the minors in 1979 and then retired.

3 comments:

  1. Howard's card features the memorial patch for Don Wilson the pitcher that committed suicide the season before.

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  2. How's this for strange? You are on Wilbur Howard and I'm on JR Richard over at 1980. They were playing catch when Richard suffered his career ending stroke.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a beautiful card showing the Rainbow Uniforms.

    ReplyDelete