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Mid-1970s Ralph Houk Detroit Tigers Game Worn Cap
Ralph Houk was known as "The Major," and his nickname was absolutely deserved. Displayed is Houk's mid-1970s game worn Detroit Tigers' cap that The Major used as the manager of the Tigers. Houk had been playing in the New York Yankees' farm system before he joined the U.S. Army during World War II. He rose to the rank of Major and led troops in combat in the Battle of Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge. Houk was awarded the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Purple Heart. After the war, Houk was a second and third string catcher on the Yankees, playing behind Yogi Berra. Houk was a part of six Yankees World Champion teams, but he saw very limited career action, batting .272 over a total of only 91 games. But Houk was learning the game, and after his playing stopped, he became a coach with the Yankees and later managed the Yankees to three straight pennants (1961-63) and two straight World Series titles (1961-62). Houk is the only manager in MLB history to win World Championships in his first two years as a manager. After moving to the Yankee front office, Houk returned to manage the Yanks (1966-73), the Detroit Tigers (1974-78), and the Boston Red Sox (1981-84). With the Tigers, Houk took over an aging team in '74, and helped to break in new players such as Lou Whitaker, Jack Morris, and Hall of Famer Alan Trammell. Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, who played for Houk in the minors with Denver, spoke of Houk as the best leader of men he ever saw, and Lasorda patterned his leadership style after that of Houk. The rather scarce road style cap has a white and orange Tigers' logo on the front. In the back of the headband is a New Era Pro Model tag. Also on the headband is a size 7 3/8 tag. The cap shows nice use. "35 HOUK" is written under the brim in marker. The game worn cap provides a great remembrance for an American combat hero who took his leadership skills to achieve World Championship success on the baseball field.
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