His childhood was spent exploring beautiful Shoal Creek and playing in Ramsey Park. Thank you for the fond memories, my friend. Herzog was popular and had won three division championships in four seasons; he was possibly fired by owner Ewing Kauffman and general manager Joe Burke over comments about the teams failure to bring in new players. RIP. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. I will.miss him so . For many years he sponsored children through World Vision Canada, and spent Sunday nights before the pandemic volunteering his time with Everybody Eats Grande Prairie, to feed those who were hungry. Frey coached for the New York Mets in 1982 and '83, then was hired by the Cubs to replace Charlie Fox. It was as high as he would get, however. The season was put on hold for nearly two months because of the players strike, and when play resumed in the second half, the Royals went 10-10 in the first 20 games. Unless you are experienced as an estate executor, you probably should hire an attorney. Haverford - James Louis Frey died on December 14, 2020. We will miss seeing Jim on his walking routine, smiling and greeting us as he and Carol passed by. Following in his fathers footsteps, he pursued a career in plumbing and pipefitting as a loyal member of Austins Plumbing and Pipefitters Local 286. Sutcliffe ran into Frey a couple of years after the latter, his run as Cubs GM over, had been reassigned by the club and asked him what he was up to. I remember as a neighbor, we could always count on Jim for always being there. He was born in San Francisco, CA on October 21, 1940. Freys playing career started auspiciously enough with the Paducah Chiefs of the Mississippi-Ohio Valley League. [2], Following the end of Frey's playing career in 1963, he joined the Baltimore Orioles as a scout and MiLB manager. James Gottfried Frey (May 26, 1931 - April 12, 2020) was an American professional baseball manager, coach, general manager, and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) outfielder. Meet 283, the new 513. When they got off to a 23-33 start in 1986, Frey was fired. May you find comfort and strength in God during this time of sorrow. He was one guy who was extremely instrumental in my career and in the Chicago Cubs, Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg said. You have funeral questions, we have answers. He came to the Cubs from a trade with Texas. If I had to scout myself, I really couldnt fall in love with me, he said in a 1969 interview. The family will greet friends Monday from 4-7 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Frey continued to hit for a high average wherever he went in the Braves organization. Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He was the second of five children, born to Ella Mae and James Will Fraser. The Cubs returned to the National League Championship Series in 1989 with Don Zimmer, Freys lifelong friend and his Cubs bench coach, as manager. Would you like to offer James A. Freys loved ones a condolence message? He loved his neighbors and, without prompting or a request, Jim could be counted on to lend a hand to a friend or neighbor in need. No one would ever accuse Jim of being shy about sharing what he believed to be right, just or correct. Not only was he a friend to our team, he was more importantly, a friend to me, Suzanne, and Jonathan and Josh. Frey spent 1982 and 1983 working as the hitting coach of the New York Mets. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. JIM FREY OBITUARY. What do you say about a man who was frequently described as larger than life? The abrupt departures of Patrick Kane and others in recent days have not only stripped the roster of its best talent but have also emotionally and psychologically affected those who remain. Having been reared in a household of very modest means, Jim was passionate about helping those who were less fortunate, and supported many causes, both financially and through the donation of his time. With the stats that are available on his Baseball Reference page, Frey was a lifetime .304 hitter in the minors and topped the .300 mark eight times. Every time he saw us walking down the street we would say "Here comes Cleveland!". Under Freys guidance, the Royals won 97 games to win the AL West. Despite his reputation as a good baseball coach, Frey was never the subject of managerial rumors until he was hired by the Kansas City Royals in October of 1979 to replace Whitey Herzog. James A. Frey Obituary It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of James A. Frey of Boscobel, Wisconsin, who passed away on October 8, 2022, at the age of 67, leaving to mourn family and friends. Frey died Sunday at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, according to the Atlantic League's Somerset Patriots . I was honored to have met this man quite a few years ago when I visited youse guys up there. Unlike the Royals, which was already a good team, the Cubs were much closer to the NL East cellar than the playoffs. All donations pay for website/research expanses. The Cubs had finished last place in back-to-back seasons, and Frey said his first priority was to bring in a new manager. They told me they wanted me to be their vice president of Baltimore.. In 1980, Frey led the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB) to their first American League (AL) championship, in his first year with the team. James embraced Zellas deep roots on the gulf coast and started a seasonal shrimping operation that allowed the family to spend quality time together on Copano Bay and surrounding area. Frey, Jim R. Age 80 of Sand Lake died Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at his home. We will do whatever we can to honor him at the ballpark this season and beyond., For more information: ESPNChicago Tribune, Follow me on Twitter: @rip_mlbFollow me on Instagram: @rip_mlbFollow me on Facebook: ripbaseballSupport RIP Baseball, I am a professional journalist with a deep and abiding love of baseball and music. James Paul Frey, also known as Coach Frey or Large Frey, born April 7, 1947, passed away due to complications associated with COVID-19 on September 19, 2021 at the age of 74, in Tampa, Florida. No services are scheduled at this time. He stayed in AAA until 1963, continuing his productive career. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. Claim Story Follow story. Phone: (780) 830-7742. (LogOut/ He was given a difficult assignment. The Patriots did not announce a cause of death. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. I mean, 88 years and all the great things he was able to do in the game of baseball? Sutcliffe said. In spite of the heroics, Frey did not make the big-league club; his ESPN obituary stated that a left shoulder injury cost him a spot on the Opening Day roster, which went to Curt Flood instead. Many second-guessers believed he should have started Game One pitcher Sutcliffe in Game Four instead of Sanderson. There are no events at this time. MAKE A DONATION. However, the Royals dropped the World Series to the Philadelphia Phillies in six games. May the God of all comfort provide you the strength to cope with your loss. Dick Howser replaced him. A left-handed batting-and-throwing outfielder, Frey spent much of his career in the farm systems of the Boston/Milwaukee Braves and St. Louis Cardinals. To plant trees in memory, please visit the. Frey had said that he wanted to remain active in baseball as a coach or manager after his playing days were over, and he got his chance when the Baltimore Orioles asked him to manage their Rookie-Level team in Bluefield, W.V., in 1964 and 1965. We invite you to share condolences for Jim Frey in our Guest Book. But he loaded his team with talented major-league and minor-league recruits, including pitcher Milt Wilcox and infielders Rod Carew and Dave Concepcion. He tossed 3 scoreless innings in his professional pitching debut. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Sign up for service and obituary updates. His shadow, and his son, James Christopher Frey (aka Small Frey or Jim Jr.). He would go onto play basketball for Gannon University before leaving school to enlist in the United States Air Force. James was born May 18, 1937 in Austin to Henry Frey and Cleo Caswell Frey as the sixth of eight children. I loved his managing etc. Frey didnt change his no-nonsense style, but it worked on this Cubs team. Frey had the winning hit in the 1947 championship game. My family tolerates this about me. Frey was relieved of his duties on August 31, despite the 1010 ballclub leading the second-half American League West standings. If there were complaints over playing time, he handled things before they became problems. After I broke my knee, I couldnt run either.. He helped ease the tension of playing baseball in the sixties for me. (LogOut/ James was an excellent shrimp boat captain when he listened to Zella. I had a bad arm. For full obituary and coverage from Legacy.com, click here. His sense of humor was just outstanding. Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. The Associated Press contributed to this report. I knew he was in and out of bad health the last four or five years, but he always managed to come through., In a statement, the Cubs called Frey a central figure in our clubs most memorable moments of the 1980s.. The NBA doesnt even consider it playoffs, and the Bulls shouldnt view qualifying as an accomplishment. One of Freys teammates on the 1953 Jacksonville Braves was a teenaged Hank Aaron. They remained close friends and considered each other family for the remainder of his days. Well, it looked down the middle to me, Aaron would reply. In 1967, he married the love of his life, Zella Sawyer after a whirlwind courtship in Indianola, TX. He became vice chairman of the New England Patriots, owned by friend Steve Kalafer, and shifted to an adviser role in later years. Bridget and I are here for you Carol if you need anything. I have never tried to change his swing, stance, bat, bat position, grip, any of those things. Jim was born November 3, 1939 in Sand Lake, MI the son of Harry and Blanche (Verburg) Frey.. Those lucky enough to work for James knew they were going to be held to a high standard and in return they would be kept safe and well supported. Two things that can never be taken in the love in your heart and the memories you have share with your Father. Bye. Jim loved to read, and had a great appreciation for art of all forms, which he collected from the many places he visited. The importance of saying "I love you" during COVID-19, Effective ways of dealing with the grieving process, Solutions to show your sympathy safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. Funeral arrangement under the care ofKendall Funeral Services. Those things are OK with a lot of players. When he wasnt running those short-season teams, he would travel to other teams in the Orioles system as a trouble-shooting hitting instructor. Chicago Sun Times Former Cubs skipper Jim Frey, who managed the team from 1984 to 1986 and led them to their first division title and first postseason appearance since the 1945 World Series, died Sunday at 88. 14, 2020. . Westphalia Historical Soc., Inc., 166 CR 3000, Lott, Texas 76656 Read Full Obituary.. At some point, he was moved out of the Braves organization, because his 1957 team, the Tulsa Oilers, was a Phillies affiliate. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. What do you say about a man who was frequently described as larger than life? Growing up in Cincinnati, he played for the American Legion Bentley post, which was the American Legion runner-up in 1946 and the national champion in 1947. In his first season as Royals manager, Frey led the team to the 1980 American League pennant before losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. 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