Jim Fridley
Encyclopedia
James Riley Fridley was an American
professional baseball
player. During his Major League Baseball
career, he was backup outfielder
, playing mostly at left field for three different teams between 1952
and 1958
. Nicknamed "Big Jim," Fridley was listed at 6 in 2 in (1.88 m) and 205 lb (93 kg) and batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Philippi, West Virginia
.
After finishing high school, Fridley worked briefly for the FBI
and later served in the U.S. Army for four years during World War II
. Following his service discharge, he attended West Virginia University
on a football
scholarship, playing both for the WVU baseball and football teams. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians
as a free agent in 1948, playing for them one year (1952) before joining the Baltimore Orioles
(1954) and Cincinnati Redlegs
(1958). His most productive season came in 1954, when he posted career-highs in games
(85), runs
(25), RBI
(36) and extrabases (17).
In a three-season career, Fridley was a .248 hitter (105-for-424) with eight home run
s and 53 RBI in 152 games, including 50 runs, 12 doubles
, five triples
, three stolen base
s, and a .309 on-base percentage. In 123 outfield appearances, he posted a collective .982 fielding average (four errors
in 228 chances). He also played in the minor league
systems of the New York Yankees
, Brooklyn Dodgers
and Detroit Tigers
.
Fridley died in Port Charlotte, Florida
at age 78.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player. During his Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
career, he was backup outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
, playing mostly at left field for three different teams between 1952
1952 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Brooklyn Dodgers *All-Star Game, July 8 at Shibe Park: National League, 3-2 -Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: La Habana *College World Series: Holy Cross...
and 1958
1958 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Milwaukee Braves ; Bob Turley, MVP*All-Star Game, July 8 at Memorial Stadium: American League, 4-3-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Marianao *College World Series: USC...
. Nicknamed "Big Jim," Fridley was listed at 6 in 2 in (1.88 m) and 205 lb (93 kg) and batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Philippi, West Virginia
Philippi, West Virginia
Philippi is a city in — and the county seat of — Barbour County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 2,870 at the 2000 census. In 1861, the city was the site of the Battle of Philippi, known as "The Philippi Races"...
.
After finishing high school, Fridley worked briefly for the FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
and later served in the U.S. Army for four years during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Following his service discharge, he attended West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
on a football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
scholarship, playing both for the WVU baseball and football teams. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
as a free agent in 1948, playing for them one year (1952) before joining the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(1954) and Cincinnati Redlegs
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1958). His most productive season came in 1954, when he posted career-highs in games
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
(85), runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
(25), RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
(36) and extrabases (17).
In a three-season career, Fridley was a .248 hitter (105-for-424) with eight home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 53 RBI in 152 games, including 50 runs, 12 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, five triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, three stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s, and a .309 on-base percentage. In 123 outfield appearances, he posted a collective .982 fielding average (four errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in 228 chances). He also played in the minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
systems of the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
and Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
.
Fridley died in Port Charlotte, Florida
Port Charlotte, Florida
Port Charlotte is a census-designated place in Charlotte County, Florida, United States. The population was 46,451 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Punta Gorda Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
at age 78.
On the records
- Before the 1955 season, in the largest transaction in major league history, Baltimore sent Fridley along Mike BlyzkaMike BlyzkaMichael John Blyzka was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Browns/Baltimore Orioles . Listed at 5' 11", 190 lb., Blyzka batted and threw right-handed. A native of Hamtramck, Michigan, he served in the U.S...
, Billy HunterBilly Hunter (baseball)Gordon William Hunter is a retired American shortstop, coach and manager in Major League Baseball.A slick-fielding, light-hitting shortstop from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, the right-handed-batting Hunter was originally signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers. With his path to the majors blocked by Pee Wee...
, Darrell JohnsonDarrell JohnsonDarrell Dean Johnson was an American Major League Baseball catcher, coach, manager and scout.-Playing career:...
, Dick KryhoskiDick KryhoskiRichard David Kryhoski was a first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for five different teams between 1949 and 1955. Listed at 6' 2", 200 lb., Kryhoski batted and threw left-handed. He was born and raised in Leonia, New Jersey.Kryhoski attended at Upsala College in East Orange, New...
, Don LarsenDon LarsenDonald James Larsen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1953-67 for seven different teams. Larsen is best known for pitching the sixth perfect game in baseball history, doing so in game 5 of the 1956 World Series...
and Bob TurleyBob TurleyRobert Lee Turley was a Major League Baseball pitcher.Turley was signed as an amateur free agent by the St. Louis Browns in . He played his first game on September 29, 1951 for the Browns and moved with them to Baltimore in...
to the Yankees, in exchange for Harry ByrdHarry Byrd (baseball)Harry Gladwin Byrd was an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Athletics , New York Yankees , Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers...
, Don LeppertDon Leppert (second baseman)Don Eugene Leppert is an American former professional baseball second baseman. Nicknamed "Tiger," Leppert stood 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 175 pounds , batted left-handed and threw right-handed.Leppert attended Christian Brothers High School in Memphis and signed his first pro contract...
, Jim McDonald, Bill MillerBill Miller (left-handed pitcher)William Paul Miller was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles . Listed at 6' 0", 175 lb., Miller batted and threw left-handed...
, Willy MirandaWilly MirandaGuillermo "Willy" Miranda Perez was a Cuban-born professional baseball player who played shortstop in the Major Leagues from 1951–1959...
, Kal SegristKal SegristKal Hill Segrist is a former utility infielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles . Listed at 6' 0", 180 lb., Segrist batted and threw right-handed...
, Hal Smith, Gus TriandosGus TriandosGus Triandos is a Greek-American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball mostly as a catcher but also played as a first baseman for the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles and the Detroit Tigers of the American League and the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros...
, Gene WoodlingGene WoodlingEugene Richard Woodling was a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Cleveland Indians , Pittsburgh Pirates , New York Yankees , Baltimore Orioles , Washington Senators , and the New York Mets in their expansion year of 1962...
and Ted Del Guercio. Del Guercio played 12 seasons in the minor leagues and was the only member of the group not to make the majors.