Del Howard

George Elmer Howard

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.

• Debut April 15, 1905
• Final Game October 6, 1909
• Born December 24, 1877 in Kenney, IL USA
• Died December 24, 1956 in Seattle, WA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Del Howard was a semi-regular with the 1907 and 1908 Chicago Cubs that won the World Series both years. He frequently played outfield and first base, and hit .279 in 1908 when the league average was .239.

He was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies from Omaha in 1904. He came up to the majors for the first time with the 1905 Pittsburgh Pirates who won 96 games. Howard became the regular first baseman, and hit .292 in a league that hit .255.

He was traded before the next season to the Boston Beaneaters, where he spent 1 1/2 years. Boston, which lost 102 games in 1906, used him in only two games at first base, preferring him instead in the outfield (87 games), at second base (45 games) and shortstop (14 games). He hit .261 on a team that hit .226.

The team was not much better the next year, and he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in mid-season. The Cubs, like the Pirates, were a top team. Howard played frequently in 1907 and 1908, although he did not dislodge either Frank Chance from first base or Frank Schulte from right field.

In 1909, his last season, his batting average dropped nearly 100 points.

Howard was later part-owner of the Oakland Oaks.

Del's brother Ivan Howard, five years younger, came to the majors in 1914 and played four years. Like Del, Ivan played a variety of infield and outfield positions.

Notable Achievements

• Won two World Series with the Chicago Cubs in 1907 and 1908

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Notes
1910	Louisville Colonels	American Association		8th	replaced Hal Peitz
1911	Louisville Colonels	American Association	67-101	8th
1916	Oakland Oaks	Pacific Coast League	29-64	6th	replaced Rowdy Elliott (43-72) on July 28
1917	Oakland Oaks	Pacific Coast League	103-108	5th
1918	Oakland Oaks	Pacific Coast League	40-63	6th
1919	Oakland Oaks	Pacific Coast League	86-96	5th
1920	Oakland Oaks	Pacific Coast League	95-103	6th
1921	Oakland Oaks	Pacific Coast League	101-85	5th
1922	Oakland Oaks	Pacific Coast League	88-112	6th

Related Sites

• Del Howard at the SABR Bio Project