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One of the most physically intimidating hitters in the sport, Frank Howard debuted with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1958 and was named the National League's Rookie of the Year in 1960. Following the 1964 season he was traded to the Washington Senators and went on to lead the American League in home runs twice (1968 and 1970) and in slugging average, runs batted in and walks once each. His 382 career home runs were the eighth most by a right-handed hitter when he retired; his 237 home runs in a Washington uniform are a record for any of that city's several franchises, as are his 1969 totals of 48 HRs and 340 total bases. At the time Howard retired, he also held Washington/Texas franchise records of 1,172 games, 4,120 at bats, 246 HRs, 1,141 hits, 701 RBI, 544 runs, 155 doubles, 2,074 total bases and a .503 slugging average.
At 6 feet 7 inches and 260 pounds, Howard's hitting feats became legendary. Nicknamed "Hondo" in his early days in Los Angeles, his home run production in Washington made him a Washington fan favorite and earned him the nickname "The Capital Punisher." Hall of Famer Ted Williams, Howard's manager late in his career, called him "the strongest man in the history of baseball." He was a four-time All Star, earning the honor from 1968 through 1971, and was a member of the 1963 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. In August, 1972 he was sold to the Detroit Tigers, finishing his career with the Tigers in 1973.
This professional model batting helmet was manufactured by American Baseball Cap, Inc. (along with the company name the inside of the helmet also bears the following "P6H 13, PA, PAT NO'S 2,698,434 2,295,855). It was worn by "The Capital Punisher," Frank "Hondo" Howard during his playing days with the Washington Senators. This style red helmet, displaying the Washington script "W", was worn by the Senators from 1968 to 1971. This particular helmet has Howard's uniform number 33 on both the bill and the back specifically dating this helmet to the 1969-71 time period, as Howard gave up his uniform number 9 in 1969 when Ted Williams became the Senators' manager. More specifically, this helmet was worn during the 1971 season, and according to the consignor, in the last game of the season, which was the last game played by the expansion Senators in RFK Stadium before their move to Texas in 1972.
In that game, Frank Howard stepped into the batter's box not knowing this would be his final at-bat in a Senators uniform, his last up at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. The crowd of 14,460, angry and sad about the team's imminent move to Texas, let out a thunderous roar, trying to will one last thrill from their beloved slugger. Howard crushed a fastball into the left-field stands that night of September 30, 1971. The standing ovation went on for minutes. Rounding the bags, Howard tipped his helmet and flung it into the stands. And in a page ripped from baseball legend, the giant of a man stood on the dugout's top step, tears in his eyes, and blew a kiss to his cheering fans. After the game, Howard said it was "the biggest thrill" of his baseball career.
According to the consignor, this helmet was purchased in 1985 directly from the fan who had caught the helmet 14 years earlier. The helmet was subsequently signed by Frank Howard, who, at the time, confirmed that the helmet was one of his. Howard has written:
To Greg Best Wishes Frank 'Hondo' Howard."
The autograph, in black Sharpie, is clear and unhurried. The white script "W" decal, outlined in black, has two small tears, evidencing its use. The helmet also has a number of scratches and scuffs on the exterior, some apparent pine tar residue, and staining on the interior liner, which has also has a small tear.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to obtain a piece of baseball history – a batting helmet used by one of the great home run hitters in baseball history, Frank Howard, that is attributed to the last home run hit in RFK Memorial Stadium during the last game played by the Washington Senators on September 30, 1971.View Lot Detail page