Jay Howell was a professional baseball player who played as a relief pitcher for various teams during his career. He was born on March 26, 1955, in Miami, Florida, and attended the University of Colorado. Howell was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the third round of the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.
Howell made his Major League debut with the Reds in 1980 and played for them until 1983. He then played for the New York Yankees from 1983 to 1984, the Oakland Athletics from 1985 to 1987, the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1988 to 1991, and the Texas Rangers in 1992. He finished his career with the Atlanta Braves in 1994.
Howell was known for his impressive fastball and slider, which made him a valuable relief pitcher. He was also known for his competitive spirit and his ability to perform under pressure. He was a two-time All-Star, in 1985 and 1988, and was a key player in the Athletics' World Series win in 1989.
However, Howell's career was not without controversy. In the 1988 National League Championship Series, he was ejected from Game 3 for using an illegal substance on the baseball. He was suspended for the rest of the series and fined $1,000. The incident tarnished his reputation and led to increased scrutiny of pitchers' use of foreign substances on the ball.
Despite this incident, Howell remained a respected player and continued to perform well throughout his career. He retired with a career record of 58-53, 155 saves, and a 3.34 ERA. He also had 721 strikeouts in 892 innings pitched.
After retiring from baseball, Howell worked as a pitching coach for various teams, including the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Cincinnati Reds. He also worked as a scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Overall, Jay Howell was a talented relief pitcher who had a successful career in Major League Baseball. Despite the controversy surrounding his use of an illegal substance, he remained a respected player and continued to contribute to the sport as a coach and scout.
⚾