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Architect of Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine, Bob Howsam remains a popular Hall of Fame candidate with the Veterans Committee. Howsam started as general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, winning a World Championship in 1964.

Three years later he began a successful 11-year run with Cincinnati. With Howsam assembling the team, the Reds marched to six division titles, four National League pennants and back-to-back World Championships in 1975 and 1976.

Under his watch, the Reds farm system produced mainstays Davey Concepcion and Ken Griffey. He also pulled off two key trades to acquire men who’d earn the MVP Award in Cincinnati.

In 1971, Howsam plucked Joe Morgan from the Astros. An All Star in each of his eight seasons with the Reds, Little Joe won back-to-back MVP Awards in ’75 and ’76.

Howsam also pilfered George Foster from the Giants for utility man Frank Duffy. Foster had his MVP season in ’77 when he became the only man of the ’70s or ’80s to slug 50 homers in a season.

Here is a typed signed letter dated August 21, 1968 on Reds letterhead. Despite his role as executive, Howsam’s autograph remains elusive.

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Here Bob Howsam writes to newly-elected Hall of Fame pitcher Warren Spahn on January 30, 1973.

The executive vice president and general manager of the Reds writes, “Dear Warren, May I add my congratulations along the many others you will receive on the great honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame. You have an outstanding record and certainly deserve this honor.”

Many believe Howsam himself will one day receive his own plaque.

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The Cincinnati Reds were the National League’s winningest teams of the 1970s. Known as the Big Red Machine, they won six division titles, four pennants, and two World Series titles. From 1970-1979 the averaged more than 95 wins per season.

Built by GM Bob Howsam, the Reds the Reds boasted future Hall of Famers at multiple position and Cooperstown-bound manager Sparky Anderson. Their zenith came in 1975 and ’76 when the won back-to-back titles.

The ’75 team won 108 games and finished 20 games ahead of the second-place Dodgers. Cincinnati swept Pittsburgh in the NLCS then defeated Boston in a thrilling seven-game Fall Classic.

A month after their triumph, Cunard Cruise Lines put together a promotional tour for the world champs. They offered an all-expenses-paid luxury cruise for Howsam, Anderson, players Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Tony Perez, and announcer Marty Brennaman. To earn their keep, each man did a presentation and fielded questions from those who attended.

Shown here is the baseball itinerary from that cruise. It is signed by all seven Reds and authenticated by Beckett. The itinerary mispels Howsam’s name, describing him thusly, “Bob Howsom” – “Club President; chief engineer for the Big Red Machine”

The on-board presentations included the following:

“INSIDE THE WORLD SERIES – The inside story of the 1975 World Series from scouting the potential opponents to playing the games. Lean about Sparky Anderson’s pitching rotation strategy; front-office planning and the players’ tactics and reactions.”

“BUILDING A BALL CLUB – Bob Howsom [sic], Sparky Anderson, and Marty Brennerman [sic], discuss how a team is put together; the influence of astro turf, recruiting, drafting, scouting, trading; from front office to dugout.”

“BASEBALL COMMUNICATIONS – (Signs and Signals) – the secrets of signs to and from the coaches such as ‘take’ vs. ‘hit’, ‘bunt’ vs. ‘hit’, and ‘steal’ (what about Joe Morgan on his own?). Defensive players station themselves according to the pitch called for.”

“PARA NUESTROS PASAJEROS QUE HABLAN ESPANOL – A special bi-lingual [sic] meeting with Tony Perez, Marty Brennerman [sic], and others will be held. This will be a question and answer session about major league baseball in North America and the role of Latin America players.”