The man behind the Moneyball villain was more than a cinematic antagonist
In short: In the film Moneyball, Art Howe is depicted as a stubborn traditionalist resisting progress. But the real story of the former MLB manager reveals a complex career of resilience, from a fractured jaw to managing some of baseball's greatest young talents.
Arthur Henry Howe Jr., born December 15, 1946, had a professional baseball career spanning decades as a player, coach, and manager. An infielder for teams including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, and St. Louis Cardinals, Howe was a versatile presence on the field. His playing highlights include a pivotal performance in the 1980 National League West tie-breaker game, where his hits helped the Astros clinch their first division title. His versatility was evident in 1977, when he played across the entire infield while committing only eight errors in 125 games. He also earned the Player of the Month award in May 1981.
As a manager, Howe's legacy is often overshadowed by his relationship with Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane. While popular media, including the film Moneyball and Michael Lewis's book, portrayed Howe as a figurehead who resisted Beane's sabermetric revolution, Howe himself contested this narrative. He viewed himself as a team player who harbored doubts about the new methods, rather than a stubborn obstacle to innovation. His tenure in Oakland saw the team struggle through three losing seasons before finding success. He eventually moved to the Mets on a four-year deal.
Despite the cinematic friction, Howe achieved significant success. He led the Oakland Athletics to three consecutive American League playoffs from 2000 to 2002, winning 91, 102, and 103 games in those seasons. His managerial career was marked by longevity and high-stakes transitions, including a $9.4 million contract to lead the New York Mets. Throughout his journey, from his early days as a football scholarship athlete at the University of Wyoming to his later coaching roles with the Rangers and Phillies, Howe remained a fixture of the Major League landscape. He reached his 1,000th managerial victory in April 2003. Later in life, he faced a serious health battle when he was hospitalized with COVID-19 in May 2020.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Art Howe
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