Frank Thomas, Pirates star and...

NEW YORK (AP) — Frank Thomas, a three-time All-Star with his native Pittsburgh Pirates who eventually became the best hitter for the expansion New York Mets, died on Monday at the age of 61. He was 93. Thomas' death was confirmed by both clubs. He died Monday morning in Pittsburgh, according to the Mets. There was no explanation. From 1951 until 1966, Thomas spent 16 seasons in the big leagues, the first eight of which he spent in Pittsburgh, where he was born. He swung the bat. 266 total hits, 286 home runs, and 962 RBIs. Thomas, dubbed "The Original," visited Citi Field in late August for the Mets' first Old-Timers' Day in 28 years.

Thomas, mostly an outfielder and third baseman, was named to the National League All-Star teams in 1954, 1955, and 1958, when he achieved career highs with 35 home runs, 109 RBIs, and an.863 OPS. He placed fourth in the NL MVP voting that year, after Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron, and slightly ahead of another Cooperstown inductee, pitcher Warren Spahn. The Pirates sent Thomas to Cincinnati in January 1959, and he then went to the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Braves. They traded him to the Mets in November 1961, and Thomas batted cleanup in the franchise's debut game on April 11, 1962, against St. Louis.

The organization claimed he was a "proud family guy and a man of great faith" who was "a respected member of the Pirates Alumni Association for over 30 years. He was especially dedicated to his humanitarian efforts with Camp Happy Days-Kids Kickin' Cancer, Courageous Kidz, and Millvale Meals On Wheels." "Frank was pleased to call Pittsburgh home, not only as a Pirates fan, but as a guy who had lived his entire life here," team president Travis Williams said. Thomas was predeceased by his wife, Dolores, and his daughter, Sharon. According to the Pirates, he is survived by his children Joanne Harrison, Patty Cain, Frankie Thomas, Peter Thomas, Maryanne Pacconi, Paul Thomas, and Mark Thomas.