Definition (cruelly) of a “never was”....or on more positive note: 4A player, too good for minors but couldn't transition into a regular status....Development: after some time to get untracked, terrorized Baltimore’s farm system opponents....ran up great numbers in Stockton, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Rochester....awarded with the Topps Minor League Player of Year for 1970 with 24 jacks and hitting safely over one out three times......with a solid lineup in place in Oriole-land, was flipped to Phillies for a massive youth movement.... the anticipation being for the same offensive numbers as the minors taking place in the brand new Veteran’s Stadium....Fell far below expectations in 1971 result being only occasional power and a wildly disappointing.227 BA....Continued his struggles and so-so numbers the following year.....Freed is shuffled off to Cleveland for 1973....applied his swing exclusively in AAA ball....thereafter much traveled between several franchises; Reds, Expos, and a stint in Monterrey Mexico....A rule 5 draftee by St. Louis offered Freed what fleeting moments of success he could have had....via pinch hitting....Hit .398 in 83 at bats 1977....his total Cardinal batting average .306....St. Louis going with youth release Freed before 1980....returns to his happy hitting grounds, the upper minor leagues....as a career capper went yard 20 times between Phillies and Blue Jay AAA teams, giving him a career total of 143 at AAA....coached after playing....passed away young from a heart condition possibly brought on by an Appendicitis in 1996.
Ah yes, the gruesome days when the Phillies' outfield was manned by Oscar Gamble, Ron Stone, and Roger Freed.
ReplyDeleteThankfully in just a few years it was Greg Luzinski, Del Unser, and Willie Montanez.
Gamble was a better player outside of Philly where he never took hold. As was the case with Larry Hisle. I heard Stone was promising early on but I never saw it, his minor league hitting just above average. Good thing Phillies invested in a number of prospects and most importantly filled voids at 3rd and catcher. Once they took hold they became contenders.
DeleteStone was promising during Spring Training in 1969. ( He was actually a monster, as I recall.)
DeleteOnce the 1969 season started, he settled into the mediocrity that defined his career.
I forgot about Larry Hisle! He actually had a very good rookie year (1969), but struggled soon after that, and ended up in the minors by 1971. He had a great comeback in the AL.
I liked Hisle. As a Twin he got better every year he played for them. He was gold star of the Twins business model of the time to find other team's prospects or cast offs. Sometimes it worked but they depended heavy on it and most of the time didn't. I can't blame Larry for leaving Minnesota for better money.
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