Frank Howard

Frank Oliver Howard (August 8, 1936-) was saddled with numerous nicknames due to his enormous physique at 6’8” tall and 255 lbs. (Hondo, The Washington Monument, The Capital Punisher), but had the ability to back up those names with tremendous power and an excellent glove. After becoming a two-sports All-American at Ohio State University in baseball and basketball, Frank signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1958 and became their everyday right fielder by 1960. Howard hit .268 with 120 hits, 23 homers and 77 RBI in his rookie year to earn the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Frank was a power hitting RBI machine, topping the 20-home run mark ten times including three consecutive 40+ seasons and the 100-RBI mark four times in his 16-year career. He played right for the Dodgers 91958-1964), the Washington Senators/Texas Rangers (1965-1971/1972) and the Detroit Tigers (1972-1973). Howard led the league twice in home runs and total bases and once in RBI, walks, slugging percentage and strikeouts. Frank helped lead the Dodgers to the 1963 World Series title over the New York Yankees and appeared in four All-Star Games. Frank Howard finished his playing career with a .273 batting average with 1,774 hits including 382 home runs, 864 runs scored and 1,119 RBI. He also posted a .978 career fielding percentage. In 1974, Frank traveled to Japan to play for the Taiheiyo Club Lions, but injured his back striking out in his first at-bat and never played again. Following his playing career, he served as a coach and manager for the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He ended his managerial career with a 93-133 record in 226 games at the helm.