#40 Jay Howell

Drafted out of the University of Colorado in the 31st round of the 1976 draft by the Reds. Working as a starting pitcher he was called up from AA in 1980 and quickly showed he was in way over his head. After that season he was sent to the Cubs fro Mike O'Berry. In 81 he made 10 appearances with a 2-0 record and a 4.84 ERA. Over the off-season he went to the Yankees to complete a deal for Pat Tabler.  Spending 82-83 bouncing between the minors and the bigs he was used as a starter and was awful again. In 1984 though he was sent to the bullpen and his one start that year would be his last in the majors. Serving as a setup man to Dave Righetti Howell dropped his ERA to a low 2.69 to go along with 7 saves and a then career high WAR of 2.8. His reward was to be sent to the Athletics in the mammoth Rickey Henderson deal. As the A's closer in 85 he saved 29 games  but spent the next two years struggling with injuries-in spite of those setbacks he was named to the 1987 American League All-Star team held in Oakland that year. Normally you'd get a warm reception when representing your team in your home park however, Howell who was having a bad year was roundly booed by the home fans in an ungracious gesture from the Oakland fans. With the emergence of Dennis Eckersley as the A's closer Howell was again sent packing in another mammoth deal that also sent shortstop Alfredo Griffin to the Dodgers for pitchers Bob Welch and Matt Young. Both Oakland and Los Angeles sent players to the Mets in the trade was a winner for the A's and Dodgers and a failure for the Mets. 

In 1988 the Dodgers won the World Series and Howell would play his part but getting to the series would be a struggle.  In Game 3 of the NLCS against the Mets Howell was found to have pine tar on his glove. After a one game suspension the Doges won the pennant and Howell was able to get his revenge on those A's fans by picking up a save in the Series the Dodgers won against Oakland. 89, the year this picture was taken, would be Howell's best season with 28 saves-his second best career total-and a meager 1.58 ERA. He also set his career best WAR with a 3.3. 

After the 91 season he left LA as a free agent and signed with the Braves where he contributed to the Braves comeback against the Giants to win the National League West. He didn't make any appearances in the NLCS which the Braves lost to the Phillies. In 1993 he pitched for the Rangers but was not as effective and at the age of 38 his career came to an end with the strike.