1976 Topps #279 - Roy Howell

• Roy Howell played for three teams from 1974-1984. Howell was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 1972 (4th overall pick in the draft). Roy played in the minors from 1972-1974. He earned a late season call-up in 1974 after batting .281 with 22 HR for AAA Spokane. He batted .250 in 44 AB in '74 and became the starting third baseman for Texas the following season.

• In 1975 Howell batted .251 with 10 HR in 125 games. He was a below-average defender--his fielding percentage was usually below the league average. Roy batted .253 with 8 HR in 140 games in 1976.

• After starting the 1977 season 0 for 17, Howell was traded to the expansion Toronto Blue Jays for Steve Hargan, Jim Mason, and $200,000. Roy missed the last week of June and most of July but still batted .302 with 10 HR in 381 AB. In 1978 Howell represented the Blue Jays in the All Star Game, appeared as a pinch hitter, and grounded out. He batted .270 with 8 HR and 61 RBI in 140 games.

• Howell had his biggest power year in 1979. He homered 15 times and had a career-high 72 RBI while batting .247 in 138 games. Roy's last season as a regular was 1980. He played in 142 games and batted .269 with 10 HR. After the 1980 season Howell became a free agent and signed with the Milwaukee Brewers.

• In 1981 Howell played for a winning team for the first time in his career. Roy batted .238 in 244 AB and homered six times. In the divisional series Roy was 2 for 5 with two walks. Roy batted .260 in 300 AB in 1982 but was hitless in 14 AB in the ALCS and the World Series.

• By the 1983 season Howell was mostly a DH. He batted .278 in 194 AB in 1983 and .232 in 164 AB in 1984. After the 1984 season Roy was released. He signed with the San Francisco Giants but was cut during spring training in 1985. He played in 68 games for Philadelphia's AAA Portland club and then retired.

• After his retirement Roy opened an insurance business and played in the Senior Professional Baseball League in 1989. He did some coaching and managing for the San Diego Padres organization during the early 2000s. Roy now manages and is the president of the San Luis Obispo Rattlers baseball club. He also conducts youth baseball clinics in San Luis Obispo, CA.

• Liked to face: Mike Flanagan (.375 in 40 AB); Nolan Ryan (.343 in 35 AB); Glenn Abbott (.382 in 34 AB)

• Hated to face: Jim Palmer (.175 in 80 AB); Bob Stanley (.162 in 37 AB); Luis Tiant (.190 in 42 AB)