Jim Fregosi (1961-1971)
Players like Bo Belinsky flashed across the Los Angeles Angels landscape. While they were stars for a year or two, Jim Fregosi was the Angels first true, long term star.
Drafted from the Red Sox with the 35th selection of the 1960 Expansion Draft, it did not take long for Fregosi to reach the majors. As the Angels were looking for building blocks, the 19 year old earned a crack at the lineup the following year. After earning a longer look in 1962, Fregosi found himself in the Angels lineup to stay, until he was traded for Nolan Ryan after the 1971 campaign.
During those dozen years, Fregosi would make six All Star Games, a fixture during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He would finish his time with the Angels with a solid .268/.340/.403 batting line, hitting 115 homers and 219 doubles. Fregosi was also a solid defensive player, winning the 1967 Gold Glove at short.
That trade did not end Fregosi’s time with the Angels. He retired as a player in 1978 to take over the helm of the Angels, and led the team to a second place finish in his first year. The next year, he guided the Angels to the playoffs for the first time. Unfortunately, he did not have the same success afterwards, and after two mediocre seasons, was fired.
Jim Fregosi certainly earned his place in Los Angeles Angels history. One of the team’s first true stars, he played an important part in the Angels success.