A feisty, quick infielder with good bat, Howser later became respected as a successful manager, but died tragically on the heels of his greatest personal triumph:(f-h)h)h)leading the Royals to the 1985 World Championship.
The 5’8″ 155-lb Howser signed with the Athletics for a reported $21,000 bonus and had two outstanding seasons. In 1961 he hit .280, stole 37 bases, scored 108 runs, and was named TSN AL Rookie of the Year. He also led AL shortstops in putouts and errors. His only other year as a regular was 1964, when he hit .258 with 101 runs and 20 steals.
Howser won an AL East title for the Yankees his first full year as manager (1980), but was sacked by George Steinbrenner when the Yankees lost the LCS. He returned to the majors in late 1981 to lead the Royals to the AL West title. He won the division again in 1984 and the WS in 1985. But two days after he managed the AL to an All-Star Game victory in 1986, it was discovered that he had a brain tumor. He retired during spring training of 1987 and succumbed shortly afterward.
