This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2014
NOTE: An accompanying photograph of Howard wearing this exact jersey establishes a definitive photo match.
The man with the fearsome presence and the greatest roster of multiple nicknames in baseball history – “Hondo”, “The Capital Punisher” and the “Washington Monument” - Frank Howard arrived in Los Angeles as a rookie in 1958 amid great expectations and didn't disappoint, earning Rookie of the Year honors only two years later after hitting .268 and clubbing 23 home runs. A basketball and football All-American at Ohio State, the 6-8, 275-lb. Howard was drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors but ultimately settled on a baseball career. Seemingly a good decision: his 382 career home runs were the eighth most by a right-handed hitter when he retired and 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.
Howard’s road jersey from the Dodgers World Championship season of 1959 features "Los Angeles" applied in classic Dodger blue felt lettering across the chest, with Howard's No. 25 in red felt on the front and repeated in blue on verso. Tagging in the collar includes a MacGregor label (size 50) above a felt strip tag featuring “Howard” in blue chain stitch. On the inside front of the tail is a "Set 1 1959" flag tag. Howard has added an incredibly large inscription and autograph to the front in black marker. The completely original and unaltered jersey exhibits excellent game use and is problem free. Although Howard only played in 9 games with the Dodgers, including as a late season call up for their run to the title, it is quite possible he wore this jersey into his 1960 breakout season (ROY). An accompanying photo of Howard wearing this exact jersey establishes a definitive photo match.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.