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ATLANTA -- Jim Fregosis big league career got off to a real quiet start. Los Angeles Rams Jerseys . 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. Joseph Noteboom Jersey . Braden Calverts Winnipeg rink rallied to defeat Italy 8-7. After giving up three points in the second end, Calvert came back with a single, then stole two more points in the next two ends to tie it up at the fifth-end break. Marcus Peters Rams Jersey . According to a report from ESPN, Lynch wants a new contract from the Seahawks, and will likely skip all off-season workouts until he can renegotiate his deal with the Seahawks. http://www.laramsfansshop.com/c-84-rams-ndamukong-suh-jersey.aspx . 1. Lions WR Calvin Johnson (6 REC, 101 YDS, 1 TD, 10 targets) leads receivers with 1,299 yards and 12 touchdowns, though his 118.1 receiving yards per game ranks second behind Clevelands Josh Gordon. Gordon (10 REC, 261 YDS, 2 TD, 15 targets) is emerging as a superstar, putting up huge numbers even with Jason Campbell and Brandon Weeden at quarterback. ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Even after a late flight home from Texas led into an early three-run deficit, the Los Angeles Angels incredible late-season offensive barrage still wouldnt stop. David Freese hit a two-run homer and Mike Trout had an RBI triple during Los Angeles seven-run fifth inning, and the Angels beat the Houston Astros 11-3 Friday night for their ninth consecutive victory. Kole Calhoun had a tiebreaking, two-run single in the fifth for the major league-leading Angels (92-55), who began their final homestand by reducing their magic number to five for their first AL West title since 2009. They lead spiraling Oakland, which lost 4-2 in Seattle, by 11 games with 15 to play. "Were just playing good baseball," said Calhoun, who had his 12th three-hit game of the season. "Confidence is huge, and it just seems like were all playing together. Theres never a panic mode. Its been fun coming to the yard every day." Trout had an RBI double in the fourth and Howie Kendrick added a two-run double in the sixth for Los Angeles. The Angels have won 15 of 17 overall, highlighted by their longest winning streak since August 2004. After a slow start in their first game back from a 10-day, four-city road trip, the Angels obliterated Houstons early 3-0 lead with another eye-popping night from the majors most productive offence. Los Angeles has scored at least seven runs in eight consecutive games, matching the 1979 franchise record. "Its certainly a good time for it," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "They cracked the door open for us a little bit, and then (we got) just some key hits all the way around." The Angels scored 70 runs during their eight-game road streak, and they increased that crazy offensive pace in their return to the Big A, trouncing the only team that has beaten them since Aug. 25. The Astros took two straight from Los Angeles early last week. Brett Oberholtzer (5-11) couldnt get through the fifth for the Astros, who had won eight of 10. "Theyre a good team, and theyre on a roll," Houston interim manager Tom Lawless said. "Theres no doubt about that. So if we dont play a clean gamee . Ndamukong Suh Jersey. .. we made a miscue here, we made a miscue there, and they just took advantage of it. Thats what good teams do." The Angels had seven hits in the fifth, scoring their first run of the inning when Jake Marisnick dropped Collin Cowgills fly ball in right for an error. Calhoun, Trout and Albert Pujols all drove in runs before Freeses eighth homer, his second in 42 games. "I just missed it," Marisnick said. "I just dropped it. The ball has got to be caught. It was a big point in the game and it gave them some momentum." C.J. Wilson (12-9) struggled just to reach the fifth, but the Angels offence secured his second straight victory. The inconsistent left-hander gave up seven hits and struck out six. Marisnick, from nearby Riverside, got a 20-foot RBI single in the first inning when Wilson and catcher Chris Iannetta couldnt field his bases-loaded topper cleanly. Los Angeles maintained its four-game lead over Baltimore (88-59) for the majors best record. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED Robbie Grossman reached first in the fourth inning when Lawless successfully challenged a call for the first time as the Astros manager. Replays showed C.J. Cron hadnt applied a tag after catching an errant throw from Erick Aybar. Grossman came around to score on Dexter Fowlers double. BEARD AND WEIRD Before the game, Angels President Tim Carpino donned a fake black beard as he presented the AL pitcher of the month award to right-hander Matt Shoemaker. The executives phoney facial hair was even bigger than Shoemakers tonsorial trademark. Several Angels reserves also wore fake beards for a group photo with Shoemaker. TRAINERS ROOM Angels: Cleanup hitter Josh Hamilton missed his eighth straight game with an injured right shoulder, and the offence again didnt miss him. The 2010 AL MVPs return is still uncertain. ... LHP Joe Thatcher was activated from the disabled list after a six-week absence with a sprained ankle. UP NEXT Astros RHP Scott Feldman (8-10, 3.99 ERA) starts the middle game of the series against RHP Jered Weaver (16-8, 3.58), who looks for his AL-leading 17th win. Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Bucks Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Sacramento Kings Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys Cheap Raptors Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Wizards Jerseys ' ' '