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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.
In 1970, the Hillerich & Bradsby Company presented Senators' slugger Frank Howard with its annual Home Run Champion award for leading the American League with 44 home runs, beating out the Twins' Harmon Killebrew (41) and the Red Sox' Carl Yastrzemski (40.) This wooden plaque features a medallion in the upper left corner that reads:
Louisville Slugger Award
Hillerich & Bradsby Co.
Louisville, KY
Placed diagonally across the plaque from the bottom left to the top right is a miniature bat with the characteristic H&B 125 centerbrand. Burned in the barrel part of the bat, where the player's name normally appears, is the word:
Champion
On the bottom right of the plaque is a medal plate inscribed with the words:
Frank Howard
American league
Homerun Champion
1970
This is a rare opportunity to obtain a player's personal award from his playing career. This award, presented to Frank Howard, is an outstanding display piece.View Lot Detail page