Ex-Major League Baseball player Fregosi dies

Jim Fregosi who served a player, manager and scout in a baseball career spanning more than five decades, died Friday after suffering a stroke. "He passed away at 2:36 am," Jim Fregosi jnr, the eldest son of the 71- year-old Fregosi, said. "Went in peace with no pain." Fregosi had been taken off life support systems a little more than 12 hours earlier. He had been transported to Miami after suffering a stroke while on a cruise ship headed from Grand Cayman to Cozumel, Mexico, with other Major League Baseball alumni earlier in the week. Fregosi, who was from San Francisco, was signed as a free agent by the Red Sox in 1960, but made his major league debut for the expansion Angels the following season. Over an 18-year playing career, he hit .265 and collected 151 home runs, 264 doubles and 706 RBI in 1,902 games for the Angels, Mets, Rangers and Pirates. The six-time All-Star moved into the dugout in 1978, and amassed more than 2,000 games as manager for the Angels (1978-81), White Sox (1986-88), Phillies (1991-96) and Blue Jays (1999-2000). Fregosi won division titles in 1979 with the Angels and in 1993 with Philadelphia, reaching the World Series for the only time with the Phillies in a six-game loss to Toronto. "Everyone in the Phillies organization is deeply saddened about the news of Jim's passing," Phillies president David Montgomery said. "We, and so many others in the game, have lost a dear friend. He'll be remembered for his vibrant personality, wisdom and love of the game. Our deepest sympathy is extended to his widow, Joni, daughters Nikki, Lexy and Jennifer and sons Robert and Jim." Source: AFP