It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing of Frank Howard, Major League Baseball All-Star, Home Run Champion, and World Series Winner, at the age of 87.
Frank Howard, known affectionately as “Hondo” by his fans, was born in Los Angeles, California on April 29th, 1933. He was a star athlete in high school, playing both baseball and basketball. He was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956 and made his major league debut in 1958.
Howard was an All-Star in 1960 and 1964 and was the National League’s home run champion in 1968 and 1970. He was also a member of the Washington Senators/Texas Rangers team that won the American League pennant in 1972 and went on to win the World Series. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the American League Championship Series that year.
Howard was known for his powerful hitting and his ability to hit for power and average. He had a career batting average of .273 with 382 home runs and 1185 RBIs. He was also a very good fielder and won a Gold Glove Award in 1969.
Howard retired from baseball in 1973 and went on to become a successful businessman. He was inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in 2004.
Frank Howard will be remembered as one of the greatest players in Major League Baseball history. He was a true champion on and off the field and will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and fans.
