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  • Crew Throwback: 3B/DH Roy Howell

    Matt Breen

    By Matt Breen

    The early 1980s featured one of the most explosive lineups in team history - the famed Harvey's Wallbangers. Yount, Molitor, Cooper, Oglivie, Thomas, Money, Simmons, and others headlined a lineup that was one of the most feared in baseball. But there were other guys on the Brewer roster that contributed to the success of that era - which included the team's only World Series appearance.

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    One of those players was the hard-nosed 3B Roy Howell - who would spend four seasons with the Crew (1981-84).

    Roy Lee Howell was born in California in 1953. A left-handed hitter, he was selected in the first round, fourth overall, by the Texas Rangers in the 1972 MLB Draft. Howell quickly moved up the minor league ladder, displaying a combination of impressive physical tools, good power, and on-base skills. 

    He would reach the majors at the age of 20, getting a cup of coffee with the Rangers. 

    Howell would spend the next six seasons in Texas and Toronto. His bat never quite emerged as the force many had thought it would, but he had some solid seasons, hitting over .300 twice. He was selected for the all-star team in 1978.

    A free agent after the 1980 season, Howell signed a five-year deal with Milwaukee. The idea was to have him take over for the aging Sal Bando and Don Money. 

    Unfortunately for Howell, his fielding skills - never great to begin with - were eroding due to a variety of injuries. And after another injury in 1981, he was never the same and was reduced to a part-time player.

    Howell spent four seasons with Milwaukee, playing first base, third base, and DH during that time. His teams made two postseason appearances, reaching the World Series in 1982 (he went 0-14 in the postseason that year). He hit .253 as a Brewer and produced an OPS of .684, unspectacular numbers for the corner infielder.

    Milwaukee released Howell after the 1984 season. He spent 1985 in the minors before retiring. During his career, Howell produced 9.3 fWAR / 10.9 bWAR while hitting .261 with an OPS of .710 which included nearly 1,000 hits and 80 home runs. 

    Howell was recognizable during his playing days for his red hair and thick mustache and beard (although he was much better groomed during his stint in Milwaukee than in Texas and Toronto). He played the game hard and endeared himself to his teammates and the fans. 

    Sadly, injuries sapped Howell's abilities at an early age. Instead of being a core member of the great Brewer lineups of the early 1980s, he was a minor figure, still contributing, but not in the manner the organization had hoped when he had signed with them. 

    After baseball, Howell stayed in the game as a coach and manager, working for the Padres and Mariners and in independent ball.

    Please share your memories of former Brewer Roy Howell in the comments below!

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    Joseph Zarr

    Joseph Zarr 1,306

  • Brewer Fanatic Contributor

    • Posted

    I certainly would be lying if I said I remember Roy Howell or his role on the Brewers - I was a mere 2-6 yo during his stint with the Brew Crew, respectively. BUT, what I do remember of that era is the absolute crisis I faced as a wee 4 yo boy when that 1982 World Series hit. I had somehow become a devout 'fan' of the Cardinals at that young age (a laughable memory now) because of my admiration of Willie McGee and Ozzie Smith. I legit loved those players. I remember sitting before our Zenith television with the odd push button cable box and my two lapel pins, one on each side of the TV, of the Brewers and Cardinals. It was, perhaps, my first 'come to Jesus' moment as a young sports fan. I was crushed when the Brewers lost and I then realized that was my Team come hell or high water. Little did I know then...little did I know...what I was in for as a fan. 

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    Joseph Zarr

    Joseph Zarr 1,306

  • Brewer Fanatic Contributor

    • Posted

    I certainly would be lying if I said I remember Roy Howell or his role on the Brewers - I was a mere 2-6 yo during his stint with the Brew Crew, respectively. BUT, what I do remember of that era is the absolute crisis I faced as a wee 4 yo boy when that 1982 World Series hit. I had somehow become a devout 'fan' of the Cardinals at that young age (a laughable memory now) because of my admiration of Willie McGee and Ozzie Smith. I legit loved those players. I remember sitting before our Zenith television with the odd push button cable box and my two lapel pins, one on each side of the TV, of the Brewers and Cardinals. It was, perhaps, my first 'come to Jesus' moment as a young sports fan. I was crushed when the Brewers lost and I then realized that was my Team come hell or high water. Little did I know then...little did I know...what I was in for as a fan. 

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    Joseph Zarr

    Joseph Zarr 1,306

  • Brewer Fanatic Contributor

    • Posted

    I certainly would be lying if I said I remember Roy Howell or his role on the Brewers - I was a mere 2-6 yo during his stint with the Brew Crew, respectively. BUT, what I do remember of that era is the absolute crisis I faced as a wee 4 yo boy when that 1982 World Series hit. I had somehow become a devout 'fan' of the Cardinals at that young age (a laughable memory now) because of my admiration of Willie McGee and Ozzie Smith. I legit loved those players. I remember sitting before our Zenith television with the odd push button cable box and my two lapel pins, one on each side of the TV, of the Brewers and Cardinals. It was, perhaps, my first 'come to Jesus' moment as a young sports fan. I was crushed when the Brewers lost and I then realized that was my Team come hell or high water. Little did I know then...little did I know...what I was in for as a fan. 

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    Joseph Zarr

    Joseph Zarr 1,306

  • Brewer Fanatic Contributor

    • Posted

    I certainly would be lying if I said I remember Roy Howell or his role on the Brewers - I was a mere 2-6 yo during his stint with the Brew Crew, respectively. BUT, what I do remember of that era is the absolute crisis I faced as a wee 4 yo boy when that 1982 World Series hit. I had somehow become a devout 'fan' of the Cardinals at that young age (a laughable memory now) because of my admiration of Willie McGee and Ozzie Smith. I legit loved those players. I remember sitting before our Zenith television with the odd push button cable box and my two lapel pins, one on each side of the TV, of the Brewers and Cardinals. It was, perhaps, my first 'come to Jesus' moment as a young sports fan. I was crushed when the Brewers lost and I then realized that was my Team come hell or high water. Little did I know then...little did I know...what I was in for as a fan. 

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    BillScottCanRake

    BillScottCanRake 61

  • Brewer Fanatic Contributor

    • Posted

    I really only knew of Howell through his time in Milwaukee.  Like @Julio Muchacho, I pretty young when the Brewers went to the World Series (9), so I wouldn't have realized he was an all-star in '78 or a really high draft pick.  I do remember his relative lack of success in the 1982 post season, but I wouldn't have thought he was hitless.

    I look forward to many more of these!

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    BillScottCanRake

    BillScottCanRake 61

  • Brewer Fanatic Contributor

    • Posted

    I really only knew of Howell through his time in Milwaukee.  Like @Julio Muchacho, I pretty young when the Brewers went to the World Series (9), so I wouldn't have realized he was an all-star in '78 or a really high draft pick.  I do remember his relative lack of success in the 1982 post season, but I wouldn't have thought he was hitless.

    I look forward to many more of these!

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    BillScottCanRake

    BillScottCanRake 61

  • Brewer Fanatic Contributor

    • Posted

    I really only knew of Howell through his time in Milwaukee.  Like @Julio Muchacho, I pretty young when the Brewers went to the World Series (9), so I wouldn't have realized he was an all-star in '78 or a really high draft pick.  I do remember his relative lack of success in the 1982 post season, but I wouldn't have thought he was hitless.

    I look forward to many more of these!

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    BillScottCanRake

    BillScottCanRake 61

  • Brewer Fanatic Contributor

    • Posted

    I really only knew of Howell through his time in Milwaukee.  Like @Julio Muchacho, I pretty young when the Brewers went to the World Series (9), so I wouldn't have realized he was an all-star in '78 or a really high draft pick.  I do remember his relative lack of success in the 1982 post season, but I wouldn't have thought he was hitless.

    I look forward to many more of these!

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    Brock Beauchamp

    Brock Beauchamp 1,240

  • Administrator

    • Posted

    3 hours ago, BillScottCanRake said:

    I really only knew of Howell through his time in Milwaukee.  Like @Julio Muchacho, I pretty young when the Brewers went to the World Series (9), so I wouldn't have realized he was an all-star in '78 or a really high draft pick.  I do remember his relative lack of success in the 1982 post season, but I wouldn't have thought he was hitless.

    I look forward to many more of these!

    We’ll be posting at least one a week for the foreseeable future!

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    Brock Beauchamp

    Brock Beauchamp 1,240

  • Administrator

    • Posted

    3 hours ago, BillScottCanRake said:

    I really only knew of Howell through his time in Milwaukee.  Like @Julio Muchacho, I pretty young when the Brewers went to the World Series (9), so I wouldn't have realized he was an all-star in '78 or a really high draft pick.  I do remember his relative lack of success in the 1982 post season, but I wouldn't have thought he was hitless.

    I look forward to many more of these!

    We’ll be posting at least one a week for the foreseeable future!

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    pitchleague

    pitchleague 57

  • Community Moderator

    • Posted

    I really couldn't stand Roy Howell.  I can look back and appreciate what he did bring to the team (and the expectations placed upon him when he signed) but, as a youngster, I was constantly brought down by his rally killing outs when he would play in a game that I would attend.  He was the epitome of a Brewer player that I didn't mind missing his at-bat to go use the bathroom.

    Maybe that's mean.  But it's the memory I have of him.

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    pitchleague

    pitchleague 57

  • Community Moderator

    • Posted

    I really couldn't stand Roy Howell.  I can look back and appreciate what he did bring to the team (and the expectations placed upon him when he signed) but, as a youngster, I was constantly brought down by his rally killing outs when he would play in a game that I would attend.  He was the epitome of a Brewer player that I didn't mind missing his at-bat to go use the bathroom.

    Maybe that's mean.  But it's the memory I have of him.

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