Pittsburgh Pirates scout Howie Haak dies at the age of 87 of complications from a stroke

On February 22, 1999, Pittsburgh Pirates scout Howie Haak dies at the age of 87 of complications from a stroke. Haak, who worked for the Pirates from 1950 to 1988, scouted Roberto Clemente while he played in the Brooklyn Dodgers’ farm system and recommended that the Pirates sign him. Dubbed the “King of the Caribbean,” Haak also signed Manny Sanguillen and Tony Pena during his trips to Latin America.