This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/27/2011
This bat was obtained from the original owner at a game played against the Detroit Tigers on May 18, 1975. Fregosi was with the Rangers and his faded number 17 is on the knob in black marker. The Rangers won the match 14-6. In checking the box score, we found that Jim had 2 at bats with 1 hit, 1 run and 1 RBI. It shows heavy game use, perfect markings, tons of pine tar and a restored handle crack. A picture perfect bat that was first shipped to Jim (during this era) on 8-9-74 and all of 1975.
A right-handed batter, Fregosi is one of many notable alumni of Junípero Serra High School of San Mateo, California, and was signed by the Boston Red Sox in 1960. The same year he was selected by the Angels in the expansion draft, and made his debut in September 1961. After hitting .291 as a reserve in 1962, he batted .287 – ninth in the AL – in his first full season in 1963, and was second in the league in triples and fifth in hits. He made his first All-Star squad in 1964, batting .277. From 1964 to mid-1969, he teamed with second baseman Bobby Knoop to form one of the game's top double play combinations; with Knoop winning Gold Gloves from 1966-68, the two became only the third middle infield combination to win the honor in the same season (1967). On July 28, 1964, he became the first Angel to hit for the cycle, and he did so again on May 20, 1968. Fregosi continued to turn out solid years, particularly in 1967 when he batted .290 (seventh in the AL) and won his only Gold Glove, finishing seventh in the MVP voting. He became regarded as the league's top-hitting shortstop, leading the AL in triples (13) in 1968, and was named an All-Star every season from 1966 to 1970. But he was sidelined in 1971 when a tumor was discovered in his foot. The Angels became uncertain of Fregosi's future, and on December 10 traded him to the New York Mets in the same deal that brought pitcher Nolan Ryan to California. (Fregosi would later manage Ryan in 1978 and 1979, Ryan's last two years as an Angel.)
Sidelined by several injuries including a broken thumb in 1972, Fregosi struggled with the Mets, where he played mainly at third base, and was sold to the Texas Rangers in the 1973 mid-season. After five years as a backup for the Rangers (1973-77), during which he played primarily as a first baseman, he was sent to the Pittsburgh Pirates in June 1977. When the Angels expressed interest in naming him as their manager in 1978, the Pirates released him to pursue the opportunity.
In his 18-year career, Fregosi batted .265 with 1726 hits, 151 home runs, 844 runs, 706 RBI, 264 doubles, 78 triples, and 76 stolen bases in 1902 games played. In addition to the Angels records previously noted, Brian Downing also broke his club marks for career at bats (5244), total bases (2112) and extra base hits (404). Don Baylor broke his team record of 115 home runs in 1981.
Fregosi was the last player to retire who was a member of the "original" Los Angeles Angels.
Final GradeMEARS A9.5. Base grade of 5 points was assigned. 3 points for heavy game use. 2 points for provenance in the form of the attached ticket stub to the exact game. Minus ½ point for repaired crack.