Frank Howard visited Baseball World — the private camp at Staples High School — today.
At 6-8 and 275 pounds — with a prodigious home run swing — the former LA Dodger, Washington Senator and Texas Ranger is a legend for those of us of a certain vintage.
But his Rookie of the Year season was 1960. His stint as Mets manager was way back in 1983.
Many of the kids in Baseball World were born in this century.
Odds are, they’ve never heard of Frank Howard.
Even Frank Thomas is probably a stretch.
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Tonight, Mike McGovern sent this note to “06880”:
Fortunately Frank Howard the man — not Frank Howard the baseball card — showed up at Baseball World Camp today.
While the kids were not that knowledgeable about his career, Mr. Howard’s enthusiasm, warmth and larger-than-life presence were as impressive as his 500-foot home runs. The lineup of kids waiting for autographs would give Santa Claus a run for his money. But a picture does tell a thousand words, so here you go:
James McGovern, age 8, and Frank Howard, 73.
Frank Howard was an All-American in both baseball and basketball at Ohio State. Incredible athlete nicknamed “Hondo” for some unknown reason. He was a huge man. I wish I had got a glimpse of him today. Must be pushing 70 or so by now.
Yup, Dude, he was indeed an amazing athlete. I saw him hit a 460-foot shot to center field at the original Yankee Stadium that riccocheted off one of the monuments (which were in play) and over the head of the onrushing Yankee centerfielder, Bobby Murcer who had to turn and race back toward the infield to retrieve it. Hondo cruised into third. A faster runner would have scored standing up. Howard surfaces every now and then. He’s still hale, hearty, enthusiastic and energetic — one of baseball’s really nice guys.
hardest hit bakk i ever saw was howard home run at DC stadium vs the yanks, i was a young kid, he hit what looked like a line drive right back to to the pitcher that went just over his head, the next thing i knew it was pounding the centerfield wall about a foot over the fence, i dont think it ever got higher than 10 feet, 400 feet from the plate….incredible
hit ball i meant (not bakk)