Funny thing is he almost blew it by popping it up. I don't remember this play for some reason.
Gawd Brandon Wood was terrible!
Honestly I like Howie, don't care what team he's on, but that was one of the more half-assed, no battle, get me outta here as soon as possible at bats I've ever seen. Why anyone would ever throw him a fastball ever again after watching that at bat is beyond me. I guess for the most part, even though he had his moments like the link above, I remember Howie very rarely coming through in clutch situations. He just seemed to roll over and hit a piddler or something just crappy enough for an out, GIDP, or whatever just to piss me off.
However, I think he is a GREAT 2nd baseman and enjoyed watching him and Aybar for all those years. I just think he could be a MUCH better batter than he is, but sometimes you just get tired of holding hope, and he's not a guy I would have sent out there for the last out of the 9th if there were anyone else on the bench who stood a shot.
I don't think anyone expected Howie to do anything, and that's exactly what happened.