The Dick Howser Trophy is bestowed annually to the national college baseball player of the year. The award is named after former collegiate and Major League Baseball (MLB) player and manager Dick Howser, who died of brain cancer in 1987 at the age of 51. In that same year, the award was established by friends of Howser and presented to Mike Fiore, the inaugural winner. It is considered to be the Heisman Trophy of college baseball.
Robin Ventura, who won the Dick Howser Trophy in 1988, is one of six award winners in the National College Baseball Hall of Fame.
Todd Helton, the 1995 winner, is the only award winner to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Mark Teixeira, the 2000 winner, holds the record for most games with switch-hit home runs.
Jered Weaver, the 2004 recipient, is the only award winner to pitch a no-hitter.
Richard Dalton Howser was an American Major League Baseball shortstop, coach, and manager who was best known as the manager of the Kansas City Royals during the 1980s and for guiding them to the franchise's first World Series title in 1985.
Howser at the White House in 1985
Howser (to left of podium) presents President Ronald Reagan with a Royals jacket, hat, and bat at the White House after their World Series victory.