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Jim Fregosi, who managed the Philadelphia Phillies to 1993 National League title, passed away on Friday morning. The 71-year-old suffered multiple strokes during a recent Major League Baseball alumni cruise.
While many Phillies fans don’t have great memories of the 1993 season thanks to Joe Carter, the team still managed to win 97 games during that memorable run. Several former players, as well as other members from the Phillies family shared their respective condolences last week.
Former closer and current MLB network analyst Mitch Williams said Fregosi was the best manager he ever had the honor of playing for.
"My career was less than spectacular, but would have even been more mediocre if not for Jim," who saved 43 games during the ’93 season. "The word that defines him best is trust! He trusted everyone to do their jobs. I was a manager’s nightmare, but Jim trusted that I would get the job done. He made all his players better because his trust gave us confidence.
"I loved Jimmy and his wife Joni. They both lived to be happy. I can’t express the sorrow I feel for Joni, and Jimmy’s five kids. He was like a father to me, and I was just a player. I can only imagine the kind of father he was to his own kids.”
Former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who led the Phillies to the 2008 World Series title, also shared a close relationship with Fregosi.
“Jimmy was a very good friend of mine. I loved talking baseball with him because we shared a lot of the same philosophies about the game, especially when it came to managing, and we both care deeply about the Phillies," Manuel said. I’m going to miss him and our fishing trips together.”
Former relief pitcher and current radio analyst Larry Anderson also shared a close relationship with his former manager.
“Playing for Jim Fregosi was like playing for your Dad, except he always claimed I was older than him," Anderson said. "He was a tremendous manager and a huge reason the ’93 team was as good as it was. He will be sorely missed and our thoughts and prayers go out to Joni and the kids”
Besides the Phillies, Fregosi also managed the White Sox, Blue Jays and Angels. He also spent 18 seasons as a player, 11 of which he spent with the Angels.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
