1976 Topps #544 - Pepe Frias

• Pepe Frias was a utility infielder in the major leagues from 1973-1981. Frias was originally signed by the San Francisco Giants in 1967. Pepe was the youngest of 15 children. The family lived off of the $500 from Pepe's signing for two years.
• Frias played for two minor league clubs in 1967 but was released after the season. Pepe tried out with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1968 but was cut in spring  training. Frias went back to the Giants organization in 1969 but was released again after the season.
• Pepe decided to give it one more go with the Montreal Expos organization. Frias climbed the ladder until he made it to the major league club in 1973. Pepe batted .231 in 225 AB and played in 100 games in '73.
• Frias batted .214 in 112 AB (75 games) in 1974 and .125 in 64 AB (51 games) in 1975. In 1976 Pepe batted .248 in 113 AB (76 games).
• Frias did a little better at the plate in 1977 (.257 in 70 AB). In 1978 Pepe batted only 15 times (.267) even though he played in 73 games. Most of his appearance were as a late-inning defensive replacement at second base. 
• During spring training in 1979 Frias was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Dave Campbell. Frias was given the starting shortstop job (former starter Darrel Chaney was in the last year of his career and would bat only .162 that year) and batted .259 in 140 games. Pepe hit the only home run of his career on  May 2 off of John Candelaria.
• After the 1979 season Frias was traded with Adrian Devine to the Texas Rangers for Doyle Alexander, Larvell Blanks, and $50,000. Pepe batted .242 in 116 games before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 13 for Dennis Lewallyn and cash. The Dodgers needed some help at shortstop after Bill Russell fractured a finger. Frias played in 14 games for the Dodgers and went 2 for 9 (.222) to finish the 1980 season.
• Pepe played in 25 games for the Dodgers in 1981 and batted .250 in 36 at bats. Frias was released by the Dodgers on August 31. 
• Frias played for the Expos for their AAA Wichita club in 1982 but he batted .139 in 15 games and retired. Pepe played for the Fort Myers Sun Sox in 1989 in the Senior Professional Baseball Association. 
• Here is a 2001 article about Pepe's career and what he thinks should be done to help players from the Dominican Republic. The $2700/month pension Frias receives support his family of five and also helps six of his brothers.

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