March 23

1966 Topps #281 - Bruce Howard

On this day in 1943, pitcher Bruce Howard was born.

Bruce was signed by the White Sox in 1962 and by the next season, he was pitching with the big club. In the grand tradition of most Pale Hose pitching prospects, Howard started his big league experience in the bullpen, notching his only save in his rookie season of 1963.

By 1964, Bruce was mostly a starter. Although the Sox weren't against throwing him into the pen when absolutely needed. Until the end of the 1967 season, when Howard was traded with Roger Nelson and Don Buford to the Baltimore Orioles for Luis Aparicio, John Matias and Russ Snyder, the Sox were a formidable force to be reckoned with. The team was built on a philosophy of versatility and what was best for the team. If it wasn't for the lack of divisional playoffs in the mid-sixties, the White Sox may have had a few more World Series appearances under their belt. Always the bridesmaid and never the bride could be the motto of the mid-sixties Chicago White Sox teams.

After five seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Bruce had a .500 record with a 2.91 ERA, which was slightly better than his career average. Howard split the 1968 season between the Orioles and the Washington Senators.

White Sox March 23rd birthdays:

1881 - Gavvy Cravath
1928 - Jim Lemon
1943 - Bruce Howard
1949 - Jim Geddes
1979 - Mark Buehrle