Frank Howard wore #9 while with the Senators from 1965 through 1968.
When Bob Short lured Ted Williams out of retirement to manage the team
for the 1969 season, Frank gave his number to Ted and was assigned #33.

From the February 24, 1986 issue of Sports Illustrated:

"...sometimes things can be worked out amicably, as when Frank Howard
yielded No. 9 to Ted Williams when the latter became manager of the
Senators in 1969. "I don't give a damn what number I wear," Howard
told equipment man Fred Baxter. He got 33."

--- In thewashingtonsenators@yahoogroups.com, "Al" <blairblazer@...>
wrote:
>
> What year did Frank Howard change his uniform number from 9 to 33?
>