Phils and Halos to honor Jim Fregosi

Mar 5, 2014; Clearwater, FL, USA; A hat sits in an empty seat in honor of the late Jim Fregosi, Sr., before the Philadelphia Phillies play the Atlanta Braves at Brighthouse Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

The Phillies and Angels will square off in interleague play Tuesday night, but they’ll find common ground as they honor the late Jim Fregosi.

Fregosi, who passed away in February, spent 18 years in baseball as a player.  He played for four teams, including the Angels.  He also spent 15 years of his 53 in baseball managing the Phillies, Angels, Blue Jays and White Sox.

The only team Fregosi took to the World Series was the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993.  They lost in six games to the Blue Jays, a team he would go on to manage for two seasons after his tenure in Philadelphia.  In 1993 the Phillies went 97-65 with the late skipper at the helm.  He finished second in the National League Manager of the Year voting that season.

Before Tuesday’s game there will be a pre-game ceremony at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.  There will also be jersey patches and a stencil of the number 11 on the field.  The Angels retired 11 in honor of Fregosi in 1988.

The Atlanta Braves were the most recent team to employ Fregosi in their front office.  The Phillies and Braves held a ceremony in March when they met up in spring training.