One of the hardest throwers in baseball, Howell once struck out 14 consecutive batters in winter ball. He enjoyed uncharacteristically good control when he came up in 1984, but reverted to form in subsequent years. He was traded from the Dodgers to the Orioles in the Eddie Murray deal on December 4, 1988, then was dealt to the Phillies in a package for Phil Bradley four days later. Made a starter, he went 12-12 with a 3.44 ERA for last-place Philadelphia and was the ace of their rotation.
