Los Angeles Angels All-Time Roster
By David Hill
LA Angels all-time roster — Shortstop: Jim Fregosi (1961-1971)
These days, Jim Fregosi is remembered for his time as a manager and for being the player traded to the Mets for Nolan Ryan. However, he should also be remembered as the first true star for the Los Angeles Angels.
Selected by the Angels with the 35th selection in the Expansion Draft, Fregosi made his debut at age 19, and rapidly developed into a star. He made the All-Star Game in his second full season in 1964, starting a run where he would make six appearances in the game in seven years. Fregosi provided solid pop for a shortstop, hitting double-digit home runs five times, and solid speed, even leading the American League with 13 triples in 1968.
Defensively, Fregosi was equally valuable. He won a Gold Glove award in 1967, and was routinely among the league leaders in putouts, assists and double plays. During his time in California, he was worth 29 runs saved, helping solidify the middle of the Angels infield.
Fregosi even helped the Angels after he left. Following a difficult 1971 season, he was traded to the New York Mets in one of the most lopsided deals in baseball history, as he netted a package that included future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. For his part, Fregosi only spent a season and a half in New York before being sold to the Rangers.
One of the original stars with the Los Angeles Angels, Jim Fregosi had an impact on the franchise that extended over their first two decades of existence.
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