Hon Fricken

John Von Fricken

• Born c. 1874-1875 in New York USA
• Died November 27, 1903 in Brooklyn, NY USA

BR Register page (includes miscredited seasons of Tony Von Fricken)

Biographical Information

Hon Fricken was born John Von Fricken, the younger brother of Tony Von Fricken, who played a single game in the major leagues in 1890. Both brothers were commonly known as Fricken, rather than Von Fricken, during their playing careers. Hon Fricken gew up playing ball around Brooklyn, and began to get a lot of notice as a pitcher when playing for Hempstead in 1894. He earned a contract with Troy, NY in the New York State League in 1895, where his brother had also played previously. That team disbanded in May and Hon joined Tony in Franklin, PA in the Iron & Oil League. A successful stint there drew a call to the Western League's Kansas City Blues in July. In 1896 he went to pitch for the Birmingham Bluebirds in the Southern Association.

Fricken then had his best years with St. Paul, MN in the Western League, winning 16 games in 1897, 13 games in 1898, and remaining with the club in 1899. He spent 1900 and 1901 in Fort Wayne, IN, and 1902 with the Milwaukee Brewers. Milwaukee released him from his contract that winter and it was soon reported that he was seriously ill. The illness lasted into the fall, and Hon Fricken died that November, reportedly 29 years old.

Related Sites

• Find-A-Grave Memorial for John Von Fricken