Former MLB player, coach and manager Frank Howard died on Monday at 87, the Washington Nationals announced.
The Washington Post reports that complications from a stroke were the cause of death.
The 6-7-inch, more than 250-pound Howard went by the nicknames “The Washington Monument” and “The Capital Punisher.” Throughout his 16-year MLB career, he played for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Washington Senators/Texas Rangers.
Howard played for the Senators from 1965 to 1971 and was named an All-Star four times. In the MVP poll, he also placed in the top five twice.
“Frank Howard was my hero growing up a baseball fan in Washington, D.C.,” Nationals managing principle owner Mark D. Lerner stated in a statement, as reported by MLB.com. “I’ll always remember him as a kind and compassionate man, even if he earned the moniker “Capital Punisher” for his towering home runs into the seats at RFK Stadium. The Lerner family as a whole would want to send Frank’s family our deepest sympathies during this trying time. There has been a true loss to the baseball world.
Following his playing career, Howard managed the Padres in 1981 and served as a coach with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1977 to 1980. In 1982, he began coaching the Mets, and for the last 116 games of the 1983 season, he took over as manager. He also worked as a coach with the Devil Rays and Yankees.
Following his playing career, Howard managed the Padres in 1981 and served as a coach with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1977 to 1980. In 1982, he began coaching the Mets, and for the last 116 games of the 1983 season, he took over as manager. He also worked as a coach with the Devil Rays and Yankees.
Leave a Reply