Roger Freed
From BR Bullpen
Roger Vernon Freed
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.
- School Mt. San Antonio College
- Debut September 18, 1970
- Final Game September 28, 1979
- Born June 2, 1946 in Los Angeles, CA USA
- Died January 9, 1996 in Chino, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Roger Freed was signed by the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 and won the Northern League home run crown in his first two pro seasons. He spent most of 1970 with the Rochester Red Wings, where he hit .334 with 24 home runs and 130 RBIs en route to being named the International League MVP. He made his big league debut with the O's that September, appearing in 4 games. However, the Orioles traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies that winter. He hit the first ever grand slam at Veterans Stadium on April 11, 1971.
After two years with the Phillies, he bounced around, from the Cleveland Indians to the Cincinnati Reds to the Mexican League, before joining the Montreal Expos in 1976. That year, he hit 42 home runs for the Denver Bears and was named MVP of the American Association. After that season, he was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the Rule V Draft. He spent three seasons with the Cards, largely appearing as a pinch hitter and wowing fans with late-inning heroics.
Roger played for the Caguas Creoles, Ponce Lions and Bayamón Cowboys of the Puerto Rico Winter Baseball League.
Freed died at age 49 from heart problems
- 1970 MVP International League Rochester Red Wings (shared w/ George Kopacz )
- 1976 MVP American Association Denver Bears
- HR Titles
- 1966 Northern League 13
- 1967 Northern League 13
- 1976 American Association 42
- RBI Leader
- 1966 Northern League 58
- 1970 International League 130
- 1976 American Association 102
