Howie Pollet
Encyclopedia
Howard Joseph Pollet was an American
left-handed pitcher
in Major League Baseball
during the 1940s and 1950s. A three-time All-Star in , and , he twice he led the National League
in earned run average
(1.75 in 1943 and 2.10 in 1946).
Born in New Orleans
, Pollet signed his first professional contract with the St. Louis Cardinals
, and it was as a Cardinal that he achieved his greatest success. In , he won 20 of 23 decisions and led the A1 Texas League
in ERA (1.16) and strikeout
s (151) as a member of the Houston Buffaloes
. This performance earned Pollet a promotion to the Cards that season: as a rookie
, he won 5 and lost 2, with an ERA of 1.93. Pollet twice won 20 games for St. Louis: in 1946, when he was 21-10, and in , when he posted a 20-9 mark and led the NL in shutout
s with five.
He was traded to the second-division Pittsburgh Pirates
on June 15, , and thereafter struggled to post a winning record. During his 14-year career, he won 131 and lost 116 (.530) with a career ERA of 3.51. As a Cardinal (1941–43; 1946–51), his record was 97-65; as a member of the Pirates, Chicago Cubs
and Chicago White Sox
(1951–56), he won 34 and lost 51.
Pollet returned to the field in as the Cardinals' pitching coach
, serving through . In his last season there, St. Louis won the world championship
. He then moved back to his adopted city of Houston
in , serving as pitching coach of the Astros
for one season.
Pollet was a partner of his Buffaloes manager and former Cardinal pilot Eddie Dyer
in insurance, real estate and energy businesses in Houston. He retired from baseball and resumed his business career after the 1965 season, and died in Houston at age 53 in 1974.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
left-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League Baseball
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...
during the 1940s and 1950s. A three-time All-Star in , and , he twice he led the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in earned run average
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...
(1.75 in 1943 and 2.10 in 1946).
Born in New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, Pollet signed his first professional contract with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, and it was as a Cardinal that he achieved his greatest success. In , he won 20 of 23 decisions and led the A1 Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
in ERA (1.16) and 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 (151) as a member of the Houston Buffaloes
Houston Buffaloes
The Houston Buffaloes or Buffs were an American minor league baseball team that was founded in 1888, played in the Texas League in the years 1888-90, 1892, 1895-99, and 1907-1958 ; in the South Texas League in the years 1903-06; and in the American Association from 1959-61...
. This performance earned Pollet a promotion to the Cards that season: as a rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
, he won 5 and lost 2, with an ERA of 1.93. Pollet twice won 20 games for St. Louis: in 1946, when he was 21-10, and in , when he posted a 20-9 mark and led the NL in shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s with five.
He was traded to the second-division Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
on June 15, , and thereafter struggled to post a winning record. During his 14-year career, he won 131 and lost 116 (.530) with a career ERA of 3.51. As a Cardinal (1941–43; 1946–51), his record was 97-65; as a member of the Pirates, 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...
and 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...
(1951–56), he won 34 and lost 51.
Pollet returned to the field in as the Cardinals' pitching coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
, serving through . In his last season there, St. Louis won the world championship
1964 World Series
The 1964 World Series pitted the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals against the American League champion New York Yankees, with the Cardinals prevailing in seven games. St...
. He then moved back to his adopted city of Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
in , serving as pitching coach of the Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
for one season.
Pollet was a partner of his Buffaloes manager and former Cardinal pilot Eddie Dyer
Eddie Dyer
Edwin Hawley Dyer was an American left-handed pitcher, manager and farm system official in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1922–44 and 1946–50...
in insurance, real estate and energy businesses in Houston. He retired from baseball and resumed his business career after the 1965 season, and died in Houston at age 53 in 1974.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
- List of Major League Baseball wins champions