At 6-foot-7 and and between 275 and 295 pounds, the late Frank Howard was a massive hulk of a man and one of the greatest power hitters of his era.
Howard – known as “Hondo,” or “the Washington Monument” and “the Capital Punisher” while playing in Washington, D.C. – hit 382 home runs in his 16-year Major League Baseball career.
Howard was a four-time all-star and a National League rookie of the year. He spent most of his career with the Washington Senators and Los Angeles Dodgers.
As someone who has long enjoyed home runs, I have a special appreciation for Howard, who not only was known for hitting homers – but for absolutely crushing pitches.
As member of the Dodgers in 1960, he hit a ball over the left-field wall at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh that was found alongside a parked car about 560 feet from home plate.
With the Senators, he’s believed to have hit a 1969 home run against the Seattle Pilots that may have traveled more than 600 feet. (The actual distance is debatable.)
As a member of the Dodgers in 1963, he won a World Series.
Howard had a long and successful post-playing career as coach and manager. He also was a fan-friendly autograph signer.
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