Jim Fregosi was a professional baseball player and manager who had a successful career in the sport. He played as a shortstop for the Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Fregosi was known for his strong arm and defensive skills, as well as his ability to hit for power and average.
Fregosi was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1960, but he was traded to the Angels before he ever played a game for them. He made his major league debut in 1961 and quickly established himself as one of the best shortstops in the American League. He was named to the All-Star team six times during his career and won a Gold Glove Award in 1967.
In 1972, Fregosi was traded to the Mets, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Rangers. He played for the Rangers for four seasons before being traded to the Pirates in 1978. Fregosi retired as a player after the 1978 season with a career batting average of .265, 151 home runs, and 706 RBI.
After his playing career, Fregosi became a manager. He managed the Angels, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Toronto Blue Jays during his career. He led the Phillies to the World Series in 1993, where they lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in six games.
Fregosi was known for his ability to connect with players and his strong leadership skills. He was respected by his players and his peers in the baseball community. Fregosi was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame in 1993.
Fregosi passed away in 2014 at the age of 71. He left behind a legacy as one of the best shortstops and managers in baseball history. His impact on the sport will be remembered for years to come.
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