1988 jay howell

jay howell was part of the three team trade that included the mets, dodgers and a's in december of 1987.  here's his 1988 o-pee-chee card:

here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

the dodgers picked up two relievers in the deal, howell and jesse orosco, but howell would be the one to go on to become the primary closer for the dodgers in 1988.  he pitched well, with an era just over 2.00, 21 saves and a whip of 1.00 and helped the dodgers get back to the postseason.  he didn't do much in the nlcs against the mets, except get ejected in game 3 after being caught with pine tar in his glove.  then in the world series, howell gave up the game 3 walk-off home run to former teammate mark mcgwire in the dodgers' only loss of the series.  the following night, however, he got the save as he pitched the final 2.1 innings of the dodgers' pivotal 4-3 victory.

howell had 4 more really good years for the dodgers before going to atlanta as a free agent prior to the 1993 season.  he finished his career with the rangers in 1994.

voici à vous, 1988 jay howell!