Dick Howser

Richard Dalton Howser

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 155 lb.
• School Florida State University
• High School Palm Beach High School
• Debut April 11, 1961
• Final Game September 27, 1968
• Born May 14, 1936 in Miami, FL USA
• Died June 17, 1987 in Kansas City, MO USA

BR page

Biographical Information

After his playing career ended, Dick Howser spent a decade as a New York Yankees coach. He was their interim manager for one game in 1978. After spending 1980 as the Yankees manager and guiding the team to the ALCS, he became the Kansas City Royals skipper in 1981. He led the Royals to a victory in the 1985 World Series. Tragically, Howser died from a brain tumor in 1987 at age 51, a year after managing his last Royals game.

He was the first player from Florida State University to come to the major leagues. Howser returned to FSU as head coach in 1979, before the Yankees brought him back to New York as manager the next year.

Notable Achievements

• 1961 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
• AL All-Star (1961)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1961 & 1964)
• Division Titles: 3 (1980, 1984 & 1985)
• Other Postseason Appearances: 1 (1981; 2nd half champion)
• AL Pennant: 1 (1985)
• Managed one World Series Champion with the Kansas City Royals in 1985
• 100 Wins Seasons as Manager: 1 (1980)

Preceded by Billy Martin

New York Yankees Manager 1980

Succeeded by Gene Michael

Preceded by Jim Frey

Kansas City Royals Manager 1981-1986

Succeeded by Mike Ferraro

Year-By-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs	Notes
1978	New York Yankees	American League	0-1	--	New York Yankees		interim manager between Billy Martin (52-42) and Bob Lemon on July 24
1980	New York Yankees	American League	103-59	1st	New York Yankees	Lost ALCS
1981	Kansas City Royals	American League	20-13	4th	Kansas City Royals	Lost ALDS	replaced Jim Frey (30-40) on August 31
1982	Kansas City Royals	American League	90-72	2nd	Kansas City Royals
1983	Kansas City Royals	American League	79-83	2nd	Kansas City Royals
1984	Kansas City Royals	American League	84-78	1st	Kansas City Royals	Lost ALCS
1985	Kansas City Royals	American League	91-71	1st	Kansas City Royals	World Series Champs
1986	Kansas City Royals	American League	40-48	--	Kansas City Royals		replaced by Mike Ferraro on July 17

Related Sites

• Dick Howser at the SABR Bio Project
• BR Manager page
• Summary of Howser's retirement and death following brain tumor diagnosis