Josh Hamilton trotting home - a familiar site in Texas ... and parks north.
Josh Hamilton’s recent one-week home run binge – 9 homers in seven days, brought back memories of Frank “Hondo” Howard, who holds the record for homers in a week with 10. Not to take anything away from Hamilton’s dramatic performance, but Hondo’s run may have been even more spectacular. It came in 1968 – known as the “Year of the Pitcher” for the lack of offensive achievement. It also was achieved in one less game, primarily on the road (only one home game) and with considerable more travel (Howard’s week included games Washington D.C., Boston, Cleveland and Detroit).
Let’s look at these two momentous long-ball achievements.
Hamilton’s week stretched from May 7-13 (7 games, one doubleheader) and included 14 hits in 30 at bats (.467), 9 HRs, 10 Runs, 18 RBIs, 4 walks and 11 strikeouts. Hamilton’s total included six two-run homers, and three solo shots. He homered in 5 of the 7 games, including May 8’s record-tying four-homer performance. His victims included: Jason Berken; Jake Arrieta (2); Zach Philips; Darren O’Day; Tommy Hunter; Jerome Williams (2); and C.J. Wilson.
The Ranger slugger’s run included four road games (at Baltimore) and three at home (vs. the Angels) – with the Rangers winning four of six. In the streak, the Rangers scored a total of 61 runs, with Hamilton driving in 29.5% of that total.
Frank Howard’s 1968 streak also came in May, from the 12th through the 18th. His week included only six games and he collected 13 hits in 20 at bats (.650); 10 HRs (the one-week record); 10 runs; 17 RBIs; just one walk; and four strikeouts. He homered in all six games, with 4 solo homers, three 2-run dingers and one 3-run shot. His victims included: Fred Lasher; Mickey Lolich (3); Lee Stange; Ray Culp; Jose Santiago; Sam McDowell (2); and Joe Sparma.
The streak included just one home game (Tigers) and five on the road at Boston (2), Cleveland (1) and Detroit (2). The Senators went 3-3 and scored 29 runs in the six games (Howard drove in 58.5% of the Senators runs in the streak).
Hamilton’s 2012 streak
Date Hits-At Bats HR R RBI BB K
May 7 3-4 1 1 2 2 2
May 8 5-5 4 4 8 0 0
May 10 (1) 1-4 0 0 0 0 2
May 10 (2) 1-4 1 1 2 1 2
May 11 3-4 2 3 2 1 0
May 12 1-4 1 1 1 0 3
May 13 2-5 0 0 3 0 2
Howard’s 1968 streak
Date Hits-At Bats HR R RBI BB K
May 12 2-4 2 2 2 0 0
May 13 (off)
May 14 3-4 2 2 3 0 0
May 15 2-4 1 1 2 0 1
May 16 2-3 2 2 4 1 1
May 17 1-4 1 1 2 0 1
May 18 3-5 2 2 4 0 1
