His experiments with amateur beekeeping often provided comic relief for Zella, and they both determined that his skills were best suited for tractors and hers for the bees. (LogOut/ Born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised by James and Margaret Frey; Jim grew up loving and playing the game of basketball. In December 1987, the Tribune Co. hired Frey to replace his old boss, general manager Dallas Green, who had resigned two months earlier. I miss him. He saw extra-base hits and home runs for me that I didnt see, said Sandberg, who would become a first-time All-Star and the NL MVP that season. It was as high as he would get, however. In 1980, Frey led the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB) to their first American League (AL) championship, in his first year with the team. Frey remained as GM through the 1991 season, when he was replaced by Larry Himes after Frey's power eroded under team president Don Grenesko. Pastor Daryl Miller officiating. Frey was reassigned within the organization after the 1991 season, replaced by former Chicago White Sox general manager Larry Himes. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of Jeanne Elizabeth Ecuer Frey of over 40 years. He should be the guy that makes big things happen. When they got off to a 23-33 start in 1986, Frey was fired. But Sutcliffe struggled in his Game Five loss, so its questionable that he would have been more effective with one fewer day of rest. I knew Jim from old CEI days at east 24 service ctr. Survived by three sons, Steven J. Frey, Michael W. Frey (Charlotte Hertler), and Eric A Frey (Susan Frey). 14, 2020. Private interment Crandall Cemetery. Green made a few shrewd deals before and during the 1984 season, like acquiring Rick Sutcliffe, Gary Matthews and Scott Sanderson. James Gottfried Frey (May 26, 1931 April 12, 2020) was an American professional baseball manager, coach, general manager, and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) outfielder. One of the teams he worked with was the Elmira Pioneers in 1964, managed at the time by Earl Weaver. Martin and Lewis, anybody. In 1958, he moved to the St. Louis organization. He loved the Lord and kept his sense of humor to the end. Restaurants that opened (or closed) in February: A surprise in Middletown, 'Go find your own': Bengals' Duke Tobin on Higgins trade rumors, Bengals offer latest update on Joe Burrow contract negotiations, Tornado damage a total loss for some Butler County homes, What's the best beer in Cincy? Sutter fanned him on three pitches. The hole you have left behind for those you have mentored and loved can never be filled but we will live each day with your memories and live our lives in your honor. But a way to realistically get us there faster is to have a plan where everyone is on the same page. No one would ever accuse Jim of being shy about sharing what he believed to be right, just or correct. After a disappointing 1990 season, Frey was active on the free agent market, acquiring former Toronto Blue Jay and 1987 American League MVP George Bell, former Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Danny Jackson, and former Houston Astros closer Dave Smith. Later on, Frey became Vice Chairman of the Independent Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, being a key figure in the team's early years. As Sutcliffe shared this story Tuesday, he couldnt help but laugh. I read about all the friends Jim and family had in Tampa FL area. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Please accept my condolences. He died at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., on April 12. Two things that can never be taken in the love in your heart and the memories you have share with your Father. Great neighbor, friend and surrogate pops to our kids Alexis and Ethan. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. Your email address will not be published. If you enjoy reading this website and wish to support RIP Baseball, please visit our Support page. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. Checks can be mailed to (Please make note the contribution is in remembrance of James Frey): Frey's record in just less than two seasons as Royals manager was 127105. To the family Im sorry for your loss. States must work together to end HIV epidemic. We will miss seeing Jim on his walking routine, smiling and greeting us as he and Carol passed by. The Cubs lost the next three games, and many critics blamed Frey for mishandling the pitching staff. Former Cubs manager and GM Jim Frey has died at age 88. Neither move worked, and the Cubs were without a closer. A couple weeks later, he chose his old high school friend, Zimmer. JIM FREY OBITUARY. So very sorry to hear of Jims passingI knew him well as a fellow CEI employee and admired him in his role as safety director-Havent heard from or about him for several years and saddened to hear that he also lived in the Tampa area! MEMORIES & CONDOLENCES. He was predeceased by his brother, Norm, his sisters, Mary and Lillian, and is survived by his last remaining sibling, his brother, Chuck (Wendy) Fraser. With the American League down 5-4 in the 9th inning, Frey ran out of position players and had to send pitcher Dave Stieb to the plate to hit against closer Bruce Sutter of the Cardinals. He worked as a. His shadow, and his son, James Christopher Frey (aka Small Frey or Jim Jr.). Jim was raised in Chicago, IL. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. He worked for Frey Thriftway, and owned and operated five Thriftway stores until 1997. Born on Oct. 20, 1961, in Fort Bragg to John Frey and Evelyn Rabourn, he was 56 years old. Read Full Obituary. Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Apr. I will miss my dear Buckeye friend and our driveway talks about life, work, current affairs, and the Buckeyes. We join the baseball community in mourning Jims passing and send our condolences to his family and friends.. The team did even better in 1989, winning 93 games and finishing in first place for the second time in the 80s. No services are scheduled at this time. Frey hit in front of Aaron, so he had a great opportunity to view his swing. Frey said that he told Sandberg that he needed to stop being the guy who set up someone else to have a big inning. After completing his four years of service, Jim left the Air Force in 1969. Frey was fired the following season after the Royals got off to a 10-10 start during the second half of the strike-marred season. Jim Essian, a former journeyman catcher and Iowa Cubs manager, replaced Zimmer for the remainder of the season. Frey was living in Baltimore. (LogOut/ I worked on it the remaining three or four weeks of spring training, kept working on it once the season started and [soon] had all things clicking. But seriously. He helped ease the tension of playing baseball in the sixties for me. He is survived by : his close friend Deborah Gardner of Boscobel; his sons, Chris Frey of Boscobel and Luke Frey (Sarah) of Boscobel; his grandchildren, Franky, Rugar and Cinch Frey; and his siblings, Dennis Frey (Mary) of Nevada, John Frey of Wyoming, Shan Kramer (Mark) of Green Lake, WI, Patricia Williams (Jessie) of California and Robert Frey (Julie) of Boscobel. When my mom and I first moved into the community, Jim was one of the first people we met out on our daily walks. The abrupt departures of Patrick Kane and others in recent days have not only stripped the roster of its best talent but have also emotionally and psychologically affected those who remain. Jim will be greatly missed and we send our love to the entire Frey family, said Somerset Patriots Chairman Emeritus Steve Kalafer. Frey was promoted to the MLB Orioles' coaching staff under Earl Weaver, in 1970, and coached on three AL pennant winners and one World Series champion through 1979. He led the Texas League in hitting (.336), runs (102), hits (198) and doubles (50) and won the Most Valuable Player Award. Those things are OK with a lot of players. Jim Frey was the former manager of the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals. 14, 2020. Jim Frey was the former manager of the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals. Frey spent 1982 and 1983 working as the hitting coach of the New York Mets. I send my condolences to the entire Frey family for this difficult loss. I had a bad arm. Jim and family were our next door neighbors . Many second-guessers believed he should have started Game One pitcher Sutcliffe in Game Four instead of Sanderson. Zimmer was fired in May of 1991, and reports at the time indicated that Cubs president Don Grenesko went over Freys head and made the decision himself. The team then got past their old nemesis, the New York Yankees, with a 3-game sweep. Ryne Sandberg cited Frey as "the one guy who was extremely instrumental in my career. DIED April 12, 2020 Obituary Jim Frey was the former manager of the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals. Grande Prairie, AB T8W 0C7 Frey is survived by his wife of 68 years, the former Joan Miller; son James; daughters Mary Maenner, Jennifer Stangl and Cindy Sullivan; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He loved to travel the world to experience other cultures, and was always considering future destinations. I would comment about the cubs. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. pic.twitter.com/gIRBAhxVd9. He saw extra base hits and home runs for me that I didnt see.. They see the ball so well and their coordination is so good, they dont have to worry as much as the rest of us. Former Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs manager Jim Frey died Sunday at age 88. JIM FREY OBITUARY. We invite you to share condolences for Jim Frey in our Guest Book. On November 11, 1987, he was named the Cubs Director of Baseball Operations (essentially, general manager), following the resignation of Green two weeks prior. Growing up in Cincinnati, he played for the American Legion Bentley post, which was the American Legion runner-up in 1946 and the national champion in 1947. James was born May 18, 1937 in Austin to Henry Frey and Cleo Caswell Frey as the sixth of eight children. In 1984, one of the most storied seasons in team history, the Cubs won the first two games of the best-of-five NLCS at Wrigley Field but lost the next three to the Padres in San Diego. Frey was a little blunt about his playing career. Published by The Advocate on Apr. Illinois is leading the way. 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