Frank Howard was one of the most intimidating power hitters of the 1960s, often referred to by his nickname “Hondo.” Standing at a towering 6-foot-7 and weighing in at over 250 pounds, Howard struck fear into opposing pitchers with his no-doubt home run swings. Howard’s combination of size and raw power made him one of the game’s first true “three-true-outcomes” players who either homered, struck out, or walked. Between his 11-year career from 1960-1970 that included stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Senators, and Houston Astros, Howard blasted 382 home runs while tallying over 1,100 runs batted in and 900 walks. His monstrous home runs captivated fans and still bring back memories of baseball’s deadball era for anyone who was lucky enough to watch him play.
Given his cartoonish size and ridiculous home run totals, it’s no surprise that Howard was one of the most popular players to be featured on baseball cards during his career in the 1960s. The demand for Howard’s cards among fans was immense during his playing days and has only grown greater in the decades since as collectors seek to acquire cards commemorating one of the game’s true home run legends from that era. On modern auction sites like eBay, Howard’s cards from Topps, Fleer, and other vintage card issues from the 1960s routinely fetch high prices when they become available. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of Frank Howard’s most coveted and valuable baseball cards that frequently appear for sale on eBay.
One of Howard’s most iconic and desirable baseball cards is without question his 1964 Topps card. Featured sporting his classic Washington Senators uniform, Howard looms large in the photo with his massive shoulders filling out his jersey. The 1964 Topps set is considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing vintage issues due to the vivid color photos and minimalist graphical design. As a result, stars like Howard who were memorable players from that era are highly sought after by collectors. In high grade, Howard’s ’64 Topps card routinely sells for hundreds of dollars on eBay when inNear Mint to Mint condition. Recently a PSA Gem Mint 9 copy fetched $465, while ungraded but apparent Mint copies often sell for $200-300 range.
Just as valuable and iconic is Howard’s 1968 Topps card, which was arguably his best statistical season. That year, Howard led the American League with 44 home runs and 122 runs batted in suiting up for the Washington Senators. The photo on the ’68 Topps card perfectly captures Howard unleashing one of his tape measure shots from the left side of the plate. Graded high copies in the PSA 8-9 range often sell for $300-400, while apparent Near Mint raw copies sell for $150-250. And for collectors seeking an even more valuable Howard rookie card, his 1960 Topps rookie is incredibly scarce in high grades yet highly desired. PSA 8 examples have gone for well over $1000, showing the immense demand for one of the great slugger’s earliest cardboard issues.
While Topps had distribution rights for Howard in the peak of his career, Fleer also featured “Hondo” prominently in their 1960s baseball sets. Howard’s 1965 Fleer card #130 shows him rounding third base in typical home run trot fashion. High graded copies in PSA 8-9 fetch $150-300. One of Howard’s most visually striking Fleer cards is the 1968 issue, which pictures him mid-swing launching a ball to the moon. Perfectly capturing “Hondo’s” mammoth power, this coveted cardsells for $80-150 in Near Mint to Mint condition.
Continuing down memory lane, collectors seeking a Howard card from his later career can find options from the late 1960s/early 1970s. One is his 1970 Topps card donning an Astros uniform, which shows a grayer Howard still swinging hard. This transitional issue sells for $40-80 in top condition. And Howard’s final 1972 Topps card as a member of the Kansas City Royals provides a retrospective look at one of the original home run sluggers. Raw Near Mint copies change hands for $30-50.
In sum, Frank Howard’s formidable home run prowess and literally larger-than-life presence on the baseball diamond during the 1960s made him one of the most charismatic and iconic players to be featured on vintage cards from that era. As nostalgia and demand grows decades later, Howard’s classic cardboard issues from Topps, Fleer and more remain some of the most sought after and valuable options for collectors seeking to commemorate one of baseball’s true Bash Brothers. Whether a mint 1960 rookie, ’68 home run king card, or final 1972 swan song issue, Frank Howard cards endlessly enthrall fans new and old on auction sites like eBay. Towering over backlots then and now, “Hondo” continues wowing crowds through the cardboard cubes he inhabited during his awe-inspiring MLB career.
