https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ml...es-87-MLB.html

Frank Howard, the beloved Washington Senators slugger and four-time All-Star, has passed away at 87.

Howard's death was announced by the Washington Nationals – a club he never technically played for, but which honored him with a statue outside its stadium, nonetheless.

'We are deeply saddened to share that Washington Senators legend Frank Howard has passed away at the age of 87,' read the club statement. 'We join Frank's loved ones in mourning.'

A native of Columbus, Howard was a two-sport star at Ohio State, where he played both baseball and basketball.

In fact, he proved so skilled at the latter, that the lumbering 6-foot-7, 255-pound Howard was drafted by the NBA's Philadelphia Warriors in 1957.

Instead, Howard signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, for whom he'd win the 1960 National League Rookie of the Year award, while hitting 23 home runs.

In 1964, Howard was traded to the second iteration of the Senators, which replaced the original Senators franchise that now resides in Minneapolis as the Minnesota Twins.

When the Senators became the Texas Rangers in 1972, the outfielder/first baseman was among the players to make the move.

'Frank Howard was a bigger-than-life personality who was very popular with his teammates and the fans in Washington and Texas,' the Rangers said in a statement.

'The Rangers extend their deepest condolences to Mr. Howard's family and friends. He will be greatly missed.'

Howard hit 237 of his home runs over his seven-year stint with the Senators; only Ryan Zimmerman hit more for a Washington-based team.

Nicknamed 'Hondo,' Howard played 1,895 regular-season and three postseason games from 1958-73. He spent a brief time as a manager, with the San Diego Padres in 1981 and the New York Mets in 1983.