Forenregeln » the deal the way we wanted it to

ATLANTA -- Jim Fregosis big league career got off to a real quiet start. His first three at-bats, as a teenager for the expansion Los Angeles Angels, he hit grounders back to perennial Gold Glove pitcher Jim Kaat. Over the next half-century, Fregosi made a lot more noise in majors. Fregosi, a six-time All-Star shortstop who went to manage the Angels to their first playoff appearance and guide the rowdy 1993 Philadelphia Phillies into the World Series, died Friday after an apparent stroke. He was 71. Popular on and off the field, full of opinions and an outsized personality, Fregosi could argue with the best of em. He could also laugh at himself, and would poke fun at his part in one of baseballs most-lopsided trades -- the deal that sent him to the New York Mets for a young, wild pitcher named Nolan Ryan. The Atlanta Braves said they were notified by a family member that Fregosi died early Friday in Miami, where he was hospitalized after the apparent stroke while on a cruise with baseball alumni. Fregosi ended more than 50 years in baseball as a special assistant to Braves general manager Frank Wren. "Jim played a vital role in our club over the last 13 years," Wren said Friday. "As a senior adviser he was someone you could always pick up the phone and get a feel for the players in the game. He covered all 30 teams for us and was such a positive, knowledgeable resource. He lit up a room and had just great relationships throughout the game. "When I first became GM, one of the things that made the transition so easy was having Jim as close as a phone call for advice and help or encouragement." Braves president John Schuerholz said the team would find a way to honour Fregosi this season. "He gave a lot to the game no matter what uniform he was in, no matter whether he was a player, a coach or a scout," Schuerholz said. "Some people say he could have managed again right now. He was so smart and knew the game so well. I agree with that." Schuerholz said Fregosi "didnt grow into this personality. I think he was born with it. I think he had that personality when he was born." Along with the Phillies and Angels -- where he was reunited with Ryan and made the playoffs in 1979 -- Fregosi managed the Chicago White Sox and Toronto. He took over the White Sox in the middle of the 1986 season after Tony La Russa was fired, and was hired by the Blue Jays after manager Tim Johnson was dismissed during spring training in 1999 for lying about his military service record. Phillies president David Montgomery said the team and others in baseball "lost a dear friend." "Hell be remembered for his vibrant personality, wisdom and love of the game," Montgomery said in a statement. "Our deepest sympathy is extended to his widow, Joni, daughters Nikki, Lexy and Jennifer and sons Robert and Jim." Giants general manager Brian Sabean said Fregosis death "leaves a hole in the unique fabric of our great game. He was a great friend and mentor to so many, no matter what hat he wore." "He was a one-of-a-kind baseball lifer," he said. Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig spoke of Fregosis widespread relationships in the game. "The outpouring of support in recent days illustrates the vast respect that Jim earned in a great baseball life," Selig said in a statement. Fregosi was an infielder in the majors from 1961 to 1978, hitting .265 with 151 homers and 706 RBIs. His best seasons came with the Angels. From 1964-69, he teamed with second baseman Bobby Knoop to form a strong double-play combination. They played together in the 1966 All-Star game. Knoop, now an Angels coach, said Fregosi was the kind of guy who "would not have a tattoo, but would cover your back. He was a tremendous person who had tremendous passion for the game and loved the Angels." The Angels retired Fregosis No. 11 in 1988 and said he was a personal favourite of former owner Gene Autry. "His personality was infectious, his love of the game legendary, and his knowledge endless," the team said in a statement. Fregosi was traded from the Angels to the Mets after the 1971 season for a package of players that included Ryan. Fregosi played just 146 games over two seasons for the Mets and hit .233 with five home runs; Ryan turned into a Hall of Fame pitcher. Fregosi later played for the Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates. He began his managing career at 36 with the Angels in April 1978 -- two days after his final game as a player with the Pirates. In 15 seasons as a manager, he posted a 1,028-1,094 record. With the Phillies, Fregosi handled a team that included a lot of rough-and-tumble players and helped them reach the 1993 World Series. Philadelphia was beaten by Toronto on Joe Carters winning home run in Game 6. Former Phillies catcher Darren Daulton called Fregosi "the best manager Ive ever played for." "Our relationship was so special ... and he was the one that taught me how to be a leader," Daulton said. "Fregos and I could relate to each other whether we were in the clubhouse or on the field. In 1993 The City of Brotherly Love changed the world ... Fregos was the driving force!" Lenny Dykstra, a Phillies star in those days, said Fregosi "was a players manager." "Jim Fregosi was the reason that 1993 was one of the most exciting years in Philadelphia sports history," he said. James Louis Fregosi was born in 1942 in San Francisco and excelled in baseball, football basketball and track and field at Serra High School. He signed with the Boston Red Sox out of high school and went to the Angels in the 1960 expansion draft. 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Doug McDermott Jersey .55 million euros (US$18.6 million) to Spanish tax authorities on Monday to cover any potential irregularities in its signing of Neymar, all the while maintaining its innocence of the fraud charges levied against it. DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Given a day to prepare, prized Houston infield prospect Carlos Correa delivered in a big way. Told that he would start, the 19-year-old Correa hit his first two home runs of spring training and led the Astros over the Toronto Blue Jays 7-5 Thursday. Manager Bo Porter told Correa, the overall No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft, on Wednesday night that he would be in the lineup. "A lot of time with young players, youll go up to them and tell them that, because you kind of want to see how theyre going to respond," Porter said. "And he responded the way you would want your player to respond." "The way he performed today was pretty impressive," he said. Correa and Jon Singleton connected off Blue Jays starter Esmil Rogers for back-to-back homers in the third inning. Correa connected again in the eighth, hitting a two-run drive to centre field off Neil Wagner. "I was just focused," Correa said. "He told me I was going to start today." "I came out here with the mentality to play hard, play the game the right way and do my best all the time on the field," the shortstop said. Porter said while Correa still has room for improvement, his work ethic has been outstanding. "Hes a focused individual," Porter said. "Hes one of the first ones to the ballpark, hes the last one to leave. His attention to detail is mature for his age, but thats why he plays the game at the speed he plays it -- because hes confident." Astros starter Dallas Keuchel yielded six hits and struck out two in four scoreless innings. The left-hander, who was 6-10 with a 5.15 ERA last season, has not allowed a run in three starts this spring. Anthony Gose finished 2 for 2 with a triple and double, and scored three runs for Toronto. Edwin Encarnacion, Adam Lind, Melky Cabrera and Dan Johnson also doubled for the Blue Jays. STARTING TIME Blue Jays: Rogers, a candidate for the fifth spot in Torontos rotation, allowed four earned runs, walked two and struck out six in three innings. Rogers struggled with command of his changeup, which led to Singletons home run. "The only way I can get better is when I pitch and throw the changeup," he said. "I just have to make my pitches and work a little bit more out of the stretch and try to get my command out of the stretch because Im a little quick when I have runners on base." Astros: Keuchel said throwing against high wind gusts was tough, but he was happy to keep solid command on all of his pitches. "Always got to be a little happy with throwing up some zeros, but that wind was kind of a challenge there in the first inning," he said.dddddddddddd "You know, Im warming up in the bullpen and always getting loose and you never know how the wind is going to respond. But I think I had a little bit more movement on my two-seam and my changeup, so that was kind of nice," he said. TRAINERS ROOM Blue Jays: Manager John Gibbons said left-handed starter J.A. Happ (sore back) is scheduled to throw three innings in a minor league game on Friday in Dunedin. Astros: Top pitching prospect Mark Appel could make his first appearance of the spring next week. Appel, the first overall selection by Houston in last years amateur draft, underwent an appendectomy in January. Porter said reliever Jesse Crain (right biceps surgery) is continuing to make progress in the organizations training program and his arm strength is increasing. The right-hander had an 0.74 ERA in 36 2-3 innings with the Chicago White Sox last season. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in July, but did not pitch because of the injury. RIGHT ON Porter said L.J. Hoes is still in the mix for the starting spot in right field despite a hip injury early in camp. George Springer, Marc Krauss and J.D. Martinez also are in contention. Porter said Hoes, acquired from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline last season for right-handed starter Bud Norris, played well enough down the stretch to get a look this spring. "Hes got about two weeks to get ready for opening day," Porter said. "L.J. is a guy thats always gotten on base (and) has great minor league numbers. He came here last year and was a great asset to our ballclub the second half of the season and we believe hes going to be able to help us a lot this year." Hoes started in left field against the Blue Jays. He began a relay in the first that nabbed Jose Bautista at the plate when the slugger attempted to score from first base on a double by Edwin Encarnacion. MELKMAN IN THE MIDDLE? Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera could see time in centre field during the regular season now that he has fully recovered from complications stemming from a benign tumour, which was removed from his lower back last September. Gibbons said he will probably only use Cabrera there against a tough left-hander, or if Colby Rasmus needs a day off. "Thats where he played today and he played there in Lakeland the other day and did a nice job," Gibbons said. "He only got a couple balls, but hes done it before. When he came up with the Yankees, he played centre field and he played it in Kansas City and played it very well." 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