Jim Frey
From BR Bullpen
James Gottfried Frey
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 5' 9", Weight 170 lb.
- Born May 26, 1931 in Cleveland, OH USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Jim Frey was a minor league player and then a manager in the big leagues for six seasons, followed by a number of seasons as a baseball executive.
He began his playing career in 1950, leading the Paducah Chiefs with a .325 batting average that year. On July 4, 1956, Frey was traded by the Milwaukee Braves to the Brooklyn Dodgers for Ray Shearer. In 1957, he hit .336 with 11 triples and 74 RBI for the Tulsa Oilers en route to being named the Texas League MVP. He ended his 14 year playing career in 1963. Frey won batting titles in 1957 (.336 in Texas League) and 1960 (.317 in International League).
Frey spent 1964 and 1965 as skipper of the Bluefield Orioles and 1966 to 1969 as a Baltimore Orioles scout before serving as a Oriole coach under Earl Weaver from 1970 to 1979. In 1980, he became manager of the Kansas City Royals and led the team to their first World Series appearance. However, the club struggled in 1981, going 30-40 under Frey, and he was replaced by Dick Howser. He was a member of the New York Mets coaching staff in 1982 and 1983 before becoming skipper of the Chicago Cubs from 1984 to 1986. In his first season with the Cubs, he led the team to their first postseason since 1945. He returned to the club as General Manager in late 1987 and held that post until 1991.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1957 MVP Texas League Tulsa Oilers
- NL Manager of the Year Award (1984)
- Division Championships: 2 (1980 & 1984)
- AL Pennants: 1 (1980)
| Preceded by Whitey Herzog | Kansas City Royals Manager 1980-1981 | Succeeded by Dick Howser |
| Preceded by Charlie Fox | Chicago Cubs Manager 1984-1986 | Succeeded by Gene Michael |
| Preceded by Dallas Green | Chicago Cubs General Manager 1988-1991 | Succeeded by Larry Himes |
