#544 Howie Reed

I'm going to go back to the "show and tell" approach and post a scan of another Howie Reed card in my collection. This one is card number 398 from the 1971 Topps set, and it depicts Howie as an Expo. It's also the last card made of him during his career.

Fun facts about Howie Reed:

-Born in Dallas, Howie was an All-American at the University of Texas before signing with the Athletics in 1957.

-Debuted with Kansas City in his second pro season; his first career win was a complete game 2-1 decision over the White Sox on September 27, 1958.

-After appearing in just ten games with the A's over three seasons, he was dealt to the Dodgers. His new club kept him in the minors for three full years, a span that included a league-leading 19 wins for AAA Spokane in 1963.

-Pitched effectively upon his return to the majors in 1964, compiling a 3.20 ERA in 26 games (19 of those coming in relief).

-Used primarily out of the bullpen, Howie contributed to L.A.'s World Championship run in 1965 with a 7-5 record and a 3.12 ERA. He appeared in two World Series games but was hit hard by the Twins.

-Bounced from the Dodgers to the Angels to the Astros within a two-year span before settling with the brand-new Expos club in 1969.

-Tossed the only shutout of his career on August 3, 1969. It was an exciting affair in which Reed and Astros starter Larry Dierker matched zeroes until the bottom of the ninth inning. Expos left fielder Mack Jones drove in the winning run with a one-out fielder's choice to short to send the Quebecois home happy!

-Spent the final three seasons of his career in Montreal, twice earning six wins and pitching to a cumulative 4.11 ERA.

-1971 was his final year in the major leagues; in parts of ten seasons he was 26-29 with a 3.72 ERA.

-Reed returned to Texas, where he owned and operated a farm. He was only 47 when he passed away in late 1984 after fighting a losing battle with cancer.