Diamondbacks sign Bob Howry to one-year deal

Posted on December 27, 2009

Bob Howry of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the game at AT&T Park on September 26, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

 

San Francisco Giants fans will have one thing to look forward to in 2010: relief pitcher Bob Howry will not be on the mound wearing the orange and black anymore as the 36-year-old right-hander signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks today worth between $2-$3 million. Howry attended high school in Glendale, AZ so he will be returning home in the twilight of his career. Fans of the Snakes will wish he was a million miles away from his home town by July.

Howry spent the 2009 season pitching for the Giants after making stops with the White Sox, Red Sox, Indians and Cubs during his 12-year career. He finished the season 2-6 with a 3.39 ERA in a season that saw him pitching only in garbage time as the season wore on. Howry was supposed to be the the right-handed 8th inning set-up guy for closer Brian Wilson when the season started. That plan did not last long as Howry quickly became synonymous with the ol’ baseball saying of pouring gasoline on the fire whenever he came into a ballgame. He walked a lot of guys (23 in 63.2 innings) and pissed off many fans.

It appears that Giants fans are not alone in their displeasure for Howry. Cubs fans who hated Howry when he pitched at Wrigley Field started a Facebook group entitled Bob Howry Sucks!!! “This group is devoted to fans of the Cubs, but not Bob “Bobo” Howry. He is truly one of the worst pitchers of all time” is what the group’s description says. There are 29 members of the group. I wonder what kind of Facebook groups will launch for Howry in 2010?