Phillies Wall of Fame candidate: Jim Fregosi
The manager of the Phillies wacky wonderful ’93 team is once again a candidate for the Phillies Wall of Fame
One of most successful and surprising teams in Phillies history was the 1993 team that went from last to first and went on to win the NL Championship. The manager of that wild, throwback group of overachievers was Jim Fregosi, who had a very good playing career before going on to manage over 2100 games with the Angels, White Sox, Phillies, and Blue Jays.
Fregosi began his Major League career as a 19-year old in 1961 with the Angels. He was an All-Star with the Angels in 1964 and 1966 through 1970. He also played with the Mets, Rangers, and Pirates before retiring as a player in 1978.
A solid all-around player, Fregosi had 20 more doubles in a season seven times, lead the league in triples in 1968 and hit 22 home runs and 82 RBI in 1970, both career highs. He retired with a .265 average, 1728 hits, and 151 home runs while primarily playing shortstop.
Fregosi quickly transitioned from player to manager, taking over the Angels as a 36-year-old in 1978. He finished 62-54 in 116 games that season and was at the helm for the Angels through half of the 1981 season.
He resumed managing in 1986, taking over the White Sox and compiled a 193-226 record in parts of three seasons. Fregosi took over as manager of the Phillies in 1991 and spent the next six seasons leading the club. He won his most games in Philadelphia, including the NL pennant in 1993.
After his time in Philadelphia, Fregosi ended his managerial career following two seasons with the Blue Jays in 1999 and 2000. All told, Fregosi compiled a managerial record of 1028-1094.
Why Fregosi Should Make the Wall of Fame?
Although his overall win-loss record as manager of the Phillies isn’t spectacular, he did lead the team to the 1993 team to 97 wins, which was 27 more than in 1992. In fact, most major publications predicted the Phillies seventh in the NL East for the 1993 season.
Perhaps Fregosi got lucky, that all the stars were aligned and the mostly outcast, misfit, overachieving group caught lightning in a bottle. In fact, that likely is the case, looking back on how things played out. The 1994 team struggled through the strike-shortened season and much of the 1993 team was gone a couple seasons later.
However, the 1993 accomplishments were arguably enough. Looking back in the history of the franchise, only four teams won the pennant prior to the 1993 team. The 97 wins was the third highest season win total in franchise history at the time behind only the 101 win 1976 and 1977 teams.
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Currently, the win total ranks fourth in the 136 seasons in Phillies history. The 27 win increase ranks as the third biggest jump in win total from one season to the next in franchise history.
Much of managing is just knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the players on the roster, writing the lineup and letting the players do their thing. Many managers over complicate things, that wasn’t the case with Fregosi. With the exception of a few platoon players, Fregosi used the same lineup, day-in, day-out with the same pitching rotation and bullpen usage. The players knew where they stood with Fregosi and although he was the leader, he was also one of the guys.
His handling of the 1993 team alone could be enough for his enshrinement in the Phillies Wall of Fame.
Why Fregosi Shouldn’t be on the Wall of Fame
Much of the main reason people support Fregosi being on the Wall of Fame could be the reason he doesn’t make it. Not that the 1993 Championship isn’t an accomplishment worth noting. It clearly is, particularly for a franchise with major team accomplishments too few and far between. But for some, that may not be enough for them to warrant a spot.
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Taking a look at other managers that made the Wall of Fame, Dallas Green had a very short tenure, however, he led the team to their first World Series title. That holds higher acclaim than a NL Championship. Connie Mack led the team for 50 years and two NL Championships, and Charlie Manuel is the all-time winningest manager in franchise history.
Does Fregosi belong with the previously mentioned? Again it’s tough to call, it all depends on how one weighs the 1993 season compared to his overall body of work. Perhaps only a team comprised of the throwback group of 1993 would have succeeded under Fregosi.
Let’s take a look at the success or lack thereof that the Phillies had under Fregosi. The 1991 team went 74-75 under Fregosi. The 1992 team won just 70 and the 1994 team was a disappointing seven games under .500 when the strike ended the season.
In 1995 and 1996, the Phillies flirted with 100 loses, winning just 69 and 67 games respectively.
All told, Fregosi compiled a record of 431-463 with the Phillies. His managerial career with the Phillies is much like a player who is very mediocre for 80 percent of his career with the exception of one or two excellent years.
Trending. How many members of the 1993 Phillies are among the top-50 players in franchise history?. light
Putting it together, it all depends on your point of view and what matters the most. If a single, exciting, lightning in the bottle type season is enough, then Fregosi gets in. If you prefer to judge on an entire body of work, then Fregosi falls short of the mark.