Former Royals Manager Jim Frey Passes Away at the Age of 88
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The Kansas City Royals are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former manager Jim Frey at the age of 88. Frey managed the Royals to their first American League championship and World Series appearance in 1980 and posted a 127–105 record in his two years (1980–81) as the helm. Prior to being hired by the Royals, Frey’s post-player career included stints as a scout and minor league manager, before being named to Earl Weaver’s coaching staff with the Baltimore Orioles in 1970, the same season the O’s won the World Series title. He remained with Baltimore, participating in two more Fall Classics, before being named the sixth full-time manager in Royals history on October 24, 1979.
Frey also managed the Chicago Cubs (1984–86) to an NL East title, finishing his big league managerial career with a 323–287 mark. He also served as the Cubs’ general manager from 1987–91, leading them to another division title in 1989. He most recently served as a Vice Chairman of the Independent Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League.
A left-handed hitting outfielder, Frey played 14 seasons of minor league ball, before retiring as a player in 1963.