Roger Freed

Roger Vernon Freed

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.
School Mt. San Antonio College
High School Baldwin Park High School
Debut September 18, 1970
Final Game September 28, 1979
Born June 2, 1946 in Los Angeles, CA USA
Died January 9, 1996 in Chino, CA USA

Biographical Information[edit]

Roger Freed was signed by the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 and won the Northern League home run crown in his first two pro seasons. He spent most of 1970 with the Rochester Red Wings, where he hit .334 with 24 home runs and 130 RBI en route to being named International League co-MVP with George Kopacz. He made his big league debut with the O's that September, appearing in 4 games. However, the Orioles traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies that winter. He hit the first ever grand slam at Veterans Stadium on April 11, 1971.

After two years with the Phillies, he bounced around, from the Cleveland Indians to the Cincinnati Reds to the Mexican League before joining the Montreal Expos late in the 1976 season. That year, he hit 42 home runs for the Denver Bears and was named MVP of the American Association before playing a few late season games with the Expos. After that season, he was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1977 Rule V Draft. He spent three seasons with the Cards, largely appearing as a pinch hitter and wowing fans with late-inning heroics.

Roger played for the Caguas Creoles, Ponce Lions and Bayamón Cowboys of the Puerto Rico Winter Baseball League.

Freed died at age 49 from heart problems.