In the second game of the doubleheader, Howell hit his first career home run against Ed Figueroa, as the Rangers defeated California 5-3.

[1] In 1976, Howell played in 140 games, batting .253 with 8 home runs and 53 RBI, while recording a league high 28 errors at third base.

Howell's franchise record remained unequalled until August 29, 2015, when Edwin Encarnación tied his mark in a 15–1 win over the Detroit Tigers.

He suffered through an injury plagued 1981 season, as Howell appeared in 76 games, batting .238 with 6 home runs and 33 RBI, helping the Brewers reach the playoffs.

[1] Following his retirement, Howell coached in the San Diego Padres' farm system,[3] conducted youth baseball clinics in San Luis Obispo, California,[3] and in 2011 became the field manager for the Pennsylvania Road Warriors of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent league.

He then joined the Seattle Mariners as a hitting coach for the Single A High Desert Mavericks and the Double-A Jackson Generals.

During 2014 spring training, he was named the manager of the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League, on March 12, 2014.