Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Jim Fregosi, who carved out a career in baseball spanning more than five decades, and most recently served as a scout for the Atlanta Braves, passed away early Friday morning.
"He passed away at 2:36 a.m. ET," Jim Fregosi Jr., the oldest son of the 71- year-old Fregosi, said to MLB.com. "Went in peace with no pain."
Fregosi had been taken off life support systems a little more than 12 hours earlier after suffering a stroke while on a cruise ship headed from Grand Cayman to Cozumel, Mexico with other MLB alumni earlier in the week. The ship returned to Grand Cayman, and Fregosi later was taken to a hospital in Miami.
A native of San Francisco, Fregosi was signed as a free agent by the Red Sox in 1960, but made his MLB debut for the expansion Angels the following season.
Over an 18-year career, he hit .265 and collected 151 home runs, 264 doubles and 706 RBI in 1,902 games for the Angels, Mets, Rangers and Pirates. Fregosi was notably shipped from southern California to Queens for Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan in the 1971 offseason.
The six-time All-Star moved into the dugout in 1978, and racked up more than 2,000 games as manager for the Angels (1978-81), White Sox (1986-88), Phillies (1991-96) and Blue Jays (1999-2000).
"Everyone in the Phillies organization is deeply saddened about the news of Jim's passing," Phillies president David Montgomery said in a statement. "We, and so many others in the game, have lost a dear friend. He'll be remembered for his vibrant personality, wisdom and love of the game. Our deepest sympathy is extended to his widow, Joni, daughters Nikki, Lexy and Jennifer and sons Robert and Jim."
Fregosi won division titles in 1979 with the Angels and in 1993 with Philadelphia, reaching the World Series for the only time with the Phils in a six-game loss to Toronto.
Commissioner Bud Selig issued the following statement regarding the passing of Fregosi:
"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jim Fregosi, who contributed to the success of our Clubs for 53 years as an All-Star player with the Angels, a pennant-winning manager with the Phillies, a trusted scout with the Braves and many other capacities. The outpouring of support in recent days illustrates the vast respect that Jim earned in a great baseball life. The many Clubs that he touched are in mourning today.
"On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Jim's wife Joni, his entire family and his many friends and admirers throughout our game."
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