I just read that Jim Fregosi, longtime Angels shortstop and the first manager to bring the team to the playoffs, died this morning.
Long, long before Mike Trout, Jim was the original Angels wunderkind. Acquired from the Red Sox in the first expansion draft in 1960, he made his major league debut as a September call-up in the Halo's first season, was a regular reserve in '62, and was a starter by '63. He was the first Angels player to hit for the cycle, and along with Bobby Knoop was half of one of the greatest double-play combinations in league history.
Multiple-time All-Star, Gold Glove winner - Fregosi was the face of the franchise for the better part of a decade. He remained a Halo until after the 1971 season, when the Mets sent four players to the Angels to acquire him. He returned to the Angels in '78 as manager. Oddly enough he ended up managing the one remaining player who was traded for him: Nolan Ryan.
Rest in peace, sir. You were an amazing player, and a great baseball mind.
