Bill Freehan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bill Freehan |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Freehan c. 1969
|
|||
| Catcher | |||
| Born: November 29, 1941 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
|||
| Died: August 19, 2021 (aged 79) Walloon Lake, Michigan, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| September 26, 1961, for the Detroit Tigers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 3, 1976, for the Detroit Tigers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .262 | ||
| Home runs | 200 | ||
| Runs batted in | 758 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
Bill Freehan (born November 29, 1941 – died August 19, 2021) was a famous catcher in Major League Baseball. He played his entire 15-year career with the Detroit Tigers. Bill was one of the best catchers in the American League during the 1960s and early 1970s.
He was chosen as an All-Star in 11 different seasons. He also won the Gold Glove Award five times for being an excellent defensive player. In 1968, he helped the Tigers win the 1968 World Series. He was a key player for their pitching staff, which included stars like Mickey Lolich and Denny McLain.
Contents
Early Life and College Sports
Bill Freehan was born in Detroit, Michigan, on November 29, 1941. He grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan, until he was 14 years old. Then, his family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. He went to Bishop Barry High School and graduated in 1959.
Bill was a talented athlete. He wanted to play both football and baseball in college. So, he chose to go to the University of Michigan. There, he played as a catcher for the baseball team. He also played linebacker and end for the football team. In 1961, he set a record for batting average in the Big Ten Conference.
Becoming a Major League Star
Bill Freehan signed with his hometown team, the Detroit Tigers, in 1961. He got a big bonus of $100,000. He played a few games at the end of the 1961 season. After a year in the minor leagues, he joined the Tigers for good in 1963.
In 1964, Bill became the Tigers' main catcher. He played 141 games behind the plate. He hit really well, with a .300 batting average. He also hit 18 home runs and had 80 runs batted in. That year, he was chosen for his first of ten straight All-Star teams.
In 1965, he started winning awards for his defense. He received the first of his five Gold Glove Awards. He was known for throwing out many runners trying to steal bases.
The Amazing 1968 Season
The 1968 season was Bill Freehan's best. He was seen as a quiet leader for the team. That year, he hit a career-high 25 home runs and had 84 RBI. He was also hit by pitches 24 times, which was a lot!
Bill helped the Tigers' pitchers have a great year. Denny McLain won an amazing 31 games, and Mickey Lolich won 17. The Tigers easily won their league. Bill finished second in the voting for the Most Valuable Player award.
The Tigers then played the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1968 World Series. Bill Freehan made a very important play in Game 5. The Cardinals were leading the series and the game. A runner named Lou Brock tried to score from second base. Bill blocked home plate with his foot and held onto the ball. This stopped the run and helped the Tigers win that game. The Tigers then won the next two games to become World Series champions! Bill Freehan caught the final out of the series.
Later Career Highlights
After 1968, Bill Freehan continued to be an All-Star. In 1970, his hitting numbers went down a bit. But he still threw out 47% of runners trying to steal. In 1971, he hit 21 home runs, including three in one game.
In 1972, the Tigers won their division again. Bill missed the first two playoff games because of a thumb injury. But he came back strong in Game 3, hitting a double and a home run. He also helped the team win a dramatic Game 4.
In 1974, he split his time between first base and catcher. He hit for a good average of .297. The next year, he went back to catching full-time and made his 11th All-Star team. Bill Freehan played his last season in 1976.
Career Achievements and Records
In his 15-year career, Bill Freehan played in 1,774 games. He had 1,591 hits and a .262 batting average. He hit 200 home runs and had 758 RBI.
Bill was known for his excellent defense. He led all American League catchers in fielding percentage four times. He also held the major league record for the highest career fielding percentage for many years. Baseball historian Bill James ranked Bill Freehan as one of the top 12 catchers of all time.
Bill Freehan and pitcher Mickey Lolich played together as a battery (catcher and pitcher) in 324 games. This was a record for many years.
After Baseball
After he stopped playing, Bill Freehan stayed involved in baseball. He coached Lance Parrish, another Tigers catcher, on how to play the position. In 1978, he was one of the first people inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor.
He also worked as a TV commentator for baseball games. From 1989 to 1995, he was the head coach for the University of Michigan baseball team. He later returned to the Tigers as a catching instructor for three seasons.
Personal Life and Passing
Bill Freehan married Patricia O’Brien in 1963. They had three daughters: Corey Sue, Kelley, and Cathy.
In his later years, Bill Freehan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. This is a condition that affects memory and thinking. He passed away on August 19, 2021, at the age of 79, from this illness.
Images for kids
-
Freehan c. 1969 (from infobox)
-
Freehan wearing protective catcher's gear as a member of the Detroit Tigers in 1966.
