Bob Howry
Encyclopedia
Bobby Dean Howry is a former Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
.
and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants
in the fifth round of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft
.
.
He made his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox
in and served as the team's closer
, saving 28 games in until being replaced by Keith Foulke
in early May . He was dealt to the Boston Red Sox
in , but suffered right elbow problems that forced him to be put on the 60-day disabled list
in late . Howry successfully recovered from right elbow surgery and made a comeback with the Cleveland Indians
in . In a year and a half with the Indians, Howry posted an 11-6 record with 87 strikeout
s and a 2.61 ERA
.
In late , Howry signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the Chicago Cubs
, where he filled in for an injured Ryan Dempster
during the playoff run, earning eight saves with a 3.32 ERA, and was one of the Cubs' primary relievers in , sometimes serving as setup man to All-Star closer Kerry Wood
.
He is one of four pitchers who have pitched in at least 70 games each of the four seasons from 2004–08, the others being Scott Schoeneweis
(who has done so for five seasons), Chad Qualls
, and Dan Wheeler
.http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/pitching?split=0&league=mlb&season=2008&seasonType=2&sort=gamesPlayed&type=reg&ageMin=17&ageMax=51&state=0&college=0&country=0&hand=a&pos=all&startDate=null&endDate=null
After the Cubs declined arbitration, Howry signed a $2.75 million, one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants
on December 3, 2008.
On December 26, 2009, Howry agreed to a 1 year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks
with a club option for 2011. The deal was finalized on December 28.
On May 17, 2010, he was released by the Arizona Diamondbacks
to make room for recently acquired Saul Rivera
.
On May 21, Howry re-signed with the Cubs.
On July 30, 2010, the Cubs released Howry. During his brief return to the Cubs in 2010, he was 0-3 with a 5.66 ERA in 24 relief appearances. Howry was released to make room for pitcher Carlos Zambrano
, who was returning to the team from suspension.
On February 27, 2011, Howry retired.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
.
Early life
Howry attended Deer Valley High School in Arizona,then he attended McNeese State UniversityMcNeese State University
McNeese State University is a public university located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in the United States. Founded in 1939 as a junior college, McNeese experienced growth due to economic activity in the region. It adopted its present name in 1970....
and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in the fifth round of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft
1994 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1994 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*A.J. Pierzynski , Minnesota Twins, 3rd round*Bobby Howry , San Francisco Giants, 5th round...
.
Baseball career
Howry was one of six prospects traded to the White Sox in the infamous White Flag TradeWhite Flag Trade
The White Flag Trade was a trade made between two Major League Baseball teams in 1997. On July 31, 1997, the Chicago White Sox traded three major players to the San Francisco Giants for six minor leaguers...
.
He made his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in and served as the team's closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
, saving 28 games in until being replaced by Keith Foulke
Keith Foulke
-Career:After graduating from Hargrave High School in Huffman, Texas in 1991, he attended Galveston College and Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho. He began his career in the minor-league system of the San Francisco Giants, but was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1997 with five other prospects...
in early May . He was dealt to the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in , but suffered right elbow problems that forced him to be put on the 60-day disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
in late . Howry successfully recovered from right elbow surgery and made a comeback with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in . In a year and a half with the Indians, Howry posted an 11-6 record with 87 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and a 2.61 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
.
In late , Howry signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, where he filled in for an injured Ryan Dempster
Ryan Dempster
Ryan Scott Dempster is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. Dempster bats and throws right-handed. He has been both a starter and a reliever in his career.-Professional career:...
during the playoff run, earning eight saves with a 3.32 ERA, and was one of the Cubs' primary relievers in , sometimes serving as setup man to All-Star closer Kerry Wood
Kerry Wood
Kerry Lee Wood is a National Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Wood recorded over 200 strikeouts in four out of his first five seasons, with a high of 266 in 2003....
.
He is one of four pitchers who have pitched in at least 70 games each of the four seasons from 2004–08, the others being Scott Schoeneweis
Scott Schoeneweis
Scott David Schoeneweis is an American Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.In the five seasons from 2003–07, Schoeneweis allowed only one home run to left-handed batters...
(who has done so for five seasons), Chad Qualls
Chad Qualls
Chadford Michael Qualls is a relief pitcher.-Astros:Qualls was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Houston Astros. He began his career as a starting pitcher with the Michigan Battle Cats in...
, and Dan Wheeler
Dan Wheeler
Daniel Michael Wheeler is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-Baseball career:...
.http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/pitching?split=0&league=mlb&season=2008&seasonType=2&sort=gamesPlayed&type=reg&ageMin=17&ageMax=51&state=0&college=0&country=0&hand=a&pos=all&startDate=null&endDate=null
After the Cubs declined arbitration, Howry signed a $2.75 million, one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
on December 3, 2008.
On December 26, 2009, Howry agreed to a 1 year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
with a club option for 2011. The deal was finalized on December 28.
On May 17, 2010, he was released by the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
to make room for recently acquired Saul Rivera
Saul Rivera
Rabell Saúl Rivera is a right-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher currently a free agent.-Career:...
.
On May 21, Howry re-signed with the Cubs.
On July 30, 2010, the Cubs released Howry. During his brief return to the Cubs in 2010, he was 0-3 with a 5.66 ERA in 24 relief appearances. Howry was released to make room for pitcher Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Alberto Zambrano is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Zambrano, who stands 6' 5" and weighs 260 pounds, was signed by the Cubs as a free agent in 1997 and made his debut in 2001...
, who was returning to the team from suspension.
On February 27, 2011, Howry retired.