|
Frank Oliver Howard (born August 8, 1936 in Columbus, Ohio) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder/first baseman, coach and manager.
During his 16-year player career, Howard was a power hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1958-64), Washington Senators (1966-71), Texas Rangers (1972) and Detroit Tigers (1972-73). After his retiring, he became manager for the San Diego Padres (1981). Later, Howard coached for the Milwaukee Brewers (1977-80, 1985-86), New York Mets (1982-84, 1994-96), Seattle Mariners (1987-88), New York Yankees (1989, 1991-92), and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998-99). With the Mets, he took over as interim manager for 116 games in 1983 after George Bamberger resigned.
Listed at 6-8, 275 pounds, Howard saw little action in his first two seasons. He won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1960, after batting for .268 with 23 home runs and 77 runs batted in. He hit 98 homers in the following four seasons, but was traded to Washington in a late 1964 deal.
From May 13-18, 1968, Howard hit 10 homers in 20 at-bats over a six game stretch for an American League record. His 10 home runs are also the most ever in a same week. He would eventually hit 13 homers in 16 games, a mark that would stand until Albert Belle matched it in 1995. Howard finished the '68 season leading the league with 44 HR. In 1969 he hit a career-high 48 homers, but Harmon Killebrew beat him by one. A year later, he led the league both in HR (44) and RBI (126).
Unable to find a job in the majors, in 1974 Howard signed to play in the Japan's league for the Taiheiyo Lions. In his first time at bat for his new team, he swung mightily and struck out, hurting his back, and never played again.
In his 1895-game career Howard hit for a .273 of batting average, with 382 home runs, 1119 runs batted in, 864 runs scored, 1774 hits, 245 doubles, 35 triples, 8 stolen bases, .352 of on base percentage and .499 of slugging average. In the 1963 World Series, he batted .300 (3-10) , with 1 HR , 1 RBI, 2 runs and 1 double in 3 games.
Quote
- "In LA, where he had to fight for playing time in a crowded outfield, Howard was known as 'Hondo' and won a World Series. In Washington he blasted tape-measure home runs and stood out like a giant compared to his smaller (and lesser talented) teammates, who called him 'The Capital Punisher'. Howard won two home run titles and was the best player in Senators' expansion history". --The Baseball Page (http://www.thebaseballpage.com/past/pp/howardfrank/)
Highlights - 4-time All-Star (1968-71)
- Rookie of the Year (1960)
- Twice led the league in HRs (1968, 1970)
- Led league in RBI (1970)
- Twice led league in total bases (1968-69)
- Led league in slugging average (.552, 1968)
- 4-time top 10 MVP award (NL: 9, 1962; AL: 8, 1968 - 4, 1969 - 5, 1970)
See also - MLB players who have hit 30 or more home runs before the All-Star break
External link |
Feeds |
Contact