Howie Goss

Howard Wayne Goss

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 204 lb.

• Debut April 10, 1962
• Final Game September 28, 1963
• Born November 1, 1934 in Wewoka, OK USA
• Died July 31, 1996 in Reno, NV USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Howie Goss was a frequently-used backup for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1962 and then the regular center fielder for the Houston Colt .45s in 1963 Colt .45s. He also played ten seasons in the minors, hitting 27 homers three times and 29 once. He broke into pro ball in 1953 at age 18, and came to the majors near the end of his professional career. The Pirates traded him to Houston in exchange for the young Manny Mota.

Howie was a slugger for the Colt .45s in a ballpark that didn't favor hitters. Even though he had only 448 plate appearances, fewer than several other regulars, he was second on the team in home runs with 9 and third in doubles with 18.

He struck out at least once in the first 14 games of the 1963 season. The Elias Sports Bureau reported that this stood as the all-time major league record (since strikeouts were tracked by batter) for 49 years, until Adam Dunn broke it in 2012.

Other players whose last name starts with Goss include Rich Gossage, Dick Gossett, Daniel Gossett and Phil Gosselin. Players whose last name starts with Gos include, among others, Goose Goslin.