1976 Topps #635 - Jim Fregosi

• Jim Fregosi was an important player in the history of the California Angels. Fregosi was signed by the Boston Red Sox. After playing in the Rex Sox' system in 1960 Jim was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the expansion draft. Fregosi played in the minors in 1961 and then was brought up at the age of 19 in September. Jim batted .222 in 11 games for the Angels in '61.
• Fregosi spent the first three months of the 1962 season in the minors. Jim was brought up in July and batted .291 in 58 games. Fregosi became the starting shortstop for the Angels and held the job for almost ten years.
• Jim batted .287 with 12 triples in 1963. In 1964 Fregosi was the starting shortstop for the AL in the All Star Game and went 1 for 4. He batted .277 with 18 HR in 1964
• Jim batted .277 with 15 HR and 64 RBI in 1965. It was his only season from 1964-1970 that he wasn't an AL All Star.
• In 1966 Jim batted .252 with 13 HR and 67 RBI. Fregosi's power dropped a bit in the next two seasons. In 1967 Jim batted .290 with 9 HR and 56 RBI, finished 7th in MVP voting, and won a Gold Glove at shortstop. Fregosi batted .244 with 9 HR and 49 RBI in 1968. Jim led the AL in 1968 with 13 triples.
• In 1969 Jim batted .260 with 12 HR and 47 RBI. Why Losers Find It A Long Season - August 1969 Baseball Digest. Fregosi had one of his best years in 1970 when he batted .278 with career highs in HR (22), RBI (82), and doubles (33).
• Fregosi missed quite a bit of time, including a month-long stretch in July and August, with injuries (a shoulder image and a tumor on his right foot) in 1971. Jim played in 107 games and batted .233 with only five HR.
• After the 1971 season Fregosi was traded to the New York Mets for four players, one of whom was Nolan Ryan. The Mets planned to move Jim to third base to solve their perennial problems at the position.
• Fregosi didn't do a whole lot for the Mets in his year and a half with the club. He broke his thumb in spring training in 1972 and was never able to get things going. In 1972 Jim batted .232 with 5 HR in 101 games. Fregosi batted .234 in 45 games with the Mets in 1973. On July 15 Jim was sold to the Texas Rangers. Jim played in 45 games for the Rangers and batted .268 with 6 HR.
• For the rest of his career Jim was a part-time player who mostly played first base (with some occasional time at third base). In 1974 Fregosi batted .261 with 12 HR in 78 games. Jim batted .262 with 7 HR in 1975 and .233 in 58 games in 1976.
• In 1977 Jim started the season with Texas (.250 in 13 games) and was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Ed Kirkpatrick on June 15. Fregosi batted .286 in 36 games for the Pirates in 1977.
• Fregosi played in 20 games in 1978 and went 4 for 20 (.200). Jim was released on June 1 and became the manager of the Angels.
• Fregosi managed the Angels from 1978 through the first half of the 1981 season (he was replaced by Gene Mauch on May 29). The Angels won the AL West title in 1979 but were defeated by the Baltimore Orioles in the ALCS.
• Jim managed the AAA Louisville Redbirds from 1983-1985. He managed the Chicago White Sox (replacing Tony LaRussa) from 1986-1988 but the club never finished above 5th place in the AL West. Jim was let go after the 1988 season.
• Fregosi managed the Philadelphia Phillies from 1991-1996. The Phillies won the NL East in 1993 and advanced to the World Series, but they were defeated by the Toronto Blue Jays.
• Jim managed the Blue Jays in 1999 and 2000.
• Fregosi is now an advance scout for the Atlanta Braves
• Liked to face: Billy Wynne (.600 in 15 AB); Clyde Wright (.500 with 3 HR in 14 AB); Bert Blyleven (.393 in 28 AB)
• Hated to face: Bob Priddy (.000 in 10 AB); Jim Bouton (.079 in 38 AB); Joe Coleman (.109 in 46 AB)

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