Fans of the Texas Rangers tuned in this week to see their team square off against the Arizona Diamondbacks for the World Series title.

However, many of them were also saddened to learn that one of the team's former stars passed away. 

Frank Howard hit 382 home runs over his career

According to Fox News, the family of legendary outfielder and first baseman Frank Howard revealed on Monday that he died at the age of 87.

The network noted that Howard's major league career began in 1958 when he made his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers, garnering the nickname "Hondo."

He went on to play for the Washington Senators, a team that became the Texas Rangers in 1972 when it moved to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

Howard was named Rookie of the Year in 1960 after he hit 23 home runs and achieved a .268 batting average over the course of 117 games.

Over the course of his on-field career, Howard managed to wrack up 382 home runs before going on to become a coach and team manager.

"One of the American League’s top sluggers"

John Blake serves as executive vice president of public affairs for the Rangers, and he marked Howard's passing with a post on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

The Texas Rangers extend their thoughts and prayers to the family of Frank Howard, who passed away today at the age of 87. Hondo was one of the American League’s top sluggers with the expansion Washington Senators from 1965-71 and went in to play for the Rangers in 1972.

— John Blake (@RangerBlake) October 30, 2023

"The Texas Rangers extend their thoughts and prayers to the family of Frank Howard, who passed away today at the age of 87," Blake wrote.

"Hondo was one of the American League’s top sluggers with the expansion Washington Senators from 1965-71 and went in to play for the Rangers in 1972," he added.

Journalist calls Howard "huge yet humble"

The Washington Nationals issued a statement of their own which explained that the team is "deeply saddened" by Howard's death.

We are deeply saddened to share that Washington Senators legend Frank Howard has passed away at the age of 87. We join Frank’s loved ones in mourning. pic.twitter.com/PCEk13TSLs

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) October 30, 2023

Meanwhile, sports journalist Alex Parker called Howard "huge yet humble" and shared a video of an interview the two had.

Rest In Peace Frank Howard. Huge yet humble. A Washington Baseball legend who brought so much to the city and the sport. I was so fortunate to chat with Frank a few times, including this interview at his home in 2015. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/jR4rTGRsa6

— Alex Parker (@ParkerSports) October 31, 2023