PHILLIES DO IT UP RIGHT FOR FREGOSI

[disarcina]

Not sure if this got much of a mention on the Board here, perhaps I missed it.......but on March 5th in Clearwater before the Spring Training game between the Phillies and the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies presented a special memorial program devoted to life and legacy of Jim Fregosi.

 

The Phillies official MLB site has a story about the ceremony and the day.

 

Lee Thomas and Bobby Knoop wore throw back Angels jerseys to represent the Angels franchise.

 

Baseball scouts from throughout the major leagues attended the ceremony and the game indicating the level of respect fellow baseball men had for Fregosi.

 

The table in the back office area off the clubhouse at the Phillies Clearwater complex where Fregosi held court during ST days is being left vacant with a photo of Fregosi in the table along with a single red rose......

 

Fregosi's family and former Phillies manager and longtime Fregosi fishing buddy, Lee Elia,were among the speakers........

 

Congrats to the Philadelphia Phillies and to the visiting Atlanta Braves (for whom Fregosi also worked) for doing it up right.

 

Would nice to see a Jim Fregosi legacy day at Anaheim this year -- perhaps some special number 11 throw back jerseys in the team store, too.

 

anyway, wanted to mention this -- Saltzer's column would have been  a nice thing to distribute at Clearwater -- perhaps that can be done in Anaheim.

 

[The Ghost of Bob Starr]

Angels will get to Fregosi as soon as they get done completing their Jeter calendar of events, honors, and tributes for 2014 (year of Jeter).

[Blarg]

I am sure the Angels will honor Fregosi on opening day instead of at a backwater Spring training facility.

[disarcina]

c'mon, Eric -- be nice -- actually the 'backwater' Clearwater facility was where Fregosi held court amongst all the scouts.......he was legendary, a throw back baseball guy in a game where there's not too many true throw back guys left.

 

as much as Fregosi is remembered for being the Angels first real 'franchise' player and having an ALL STAR career as a SS.......Fregosi's time as a legendary scout including stints as MLB manager and coach -- exceeded that of his playing career and in his later years was really sort of 'the dean of scouts' -- so a ceremony at Clearwater was perfect........

 

and if it is deemed somewhat 'back water' and lower key -- well, Number 11 would have really liked that aspect of it !!!!