Thursday, October 11, 2012

Howard "happy" for D.C. fans

US Presswire photo
Frank Howard threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 4.
Frank Howard was a professional baseball player in Washington for seven years and just once while in town, with the 1969 Senators, played on a winning team. He was on the field for the Sens' final game in the city, a forfeit as fans rushed the field in the ninth inning against the Yankees on Sept. 30, 1971.

As someone who saw baseball in D.C. at its lowest point, the 76-year-old Howard can surely appreciate how far it has come: to host a playoff series in the District for the first time since before he was born.

"They've done a marvelous job here," Howard said prior to today's NLDS game at Nationals Park. "I'm happy for them. I'm happy for the fans. They've finally got something to shout about."

Howard was invited by the Nationals to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 4 against the Cardinals. Wearing his familiar number 33 jersey, his throw was caught by Ryan Zimmerman. (Howard began his Senator career wearing number 9 but gave it to Ted Williams when he became team manager.)
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5 comments:

Eugene in Oregon said...

Delighted to learn they invited Mr. Howard to participate. I hope this is the beginning of a closer, longer-term relationship between him and the Nats.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Hondo, the gentle giant. Pure class, first class, all the time. Great to have him back. Mending a lot of fences this week among the Franks.

Drew said...

Frank was my hero when I was a boy. Still is. What a great slugger.

What a nice man.

peric said...

Boy he's lost some weight ... Good for Hondo!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

HONDO I believe will have some funtion with the Loudoun Hounds when they start operating in the Atlantic League.

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