George Freese

George Walter Freese
(Bud)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.
• School West Virginia University
• High School Central Catholic High School (Wheeling)
• Debut April 29, 1953
• Final Game May 31, 1961
• Born September 12, 1926 in Wheeling, WV USA
• Died July 27, 2014 in Portland, OR USA

BR page

Biographical Information

The brother of Gene Freese, George Freese got most of his major league at-bats in 1955 as the other third baseman on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Rookie Gene appeared in 65 games at third while George appeared in 50 games at the position. Gene was a better fielder and had more power while George had a higher batting average and on-base percentage. On May 1st, he hit an inside-the-park grand slam, but he was sent down to the minors at the end of a doubleheader on June 12th. He was hitting .257 with 3 homers and 22 RBI at the time, but would not return to the big leagues until six years later, when he played 9 games for the Chicago Cubs in 1961.

He led the Western League in 1951 with a .338 batting average. In 1956, he hit .291 with 22 home runs for the pennant-winning Los Angeles Angels.

After his playing career ended, Freese was a member of the Cubs' coaching staff in 1964 and 1965 and was a minor league manager. Freese also scouted for the Cubs from 1964 to 1970.

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs
1962	St. Cloud Rox	Northern League	61-63	5th	Chicago Cubs
1963	Wenatchee Chiefs	Northwest League	63-77	5th	Chicago Cubs
1964	Treasure Valley Cubs	Pioneer League	40-25	1st	Chicago Cubs	none League Champs
1965	Treasure Valley Cubs	Pioneer League	35-31	1st	Chicago Cubs	none League Champs
1966	Treasure Valley Cubs	Pioneer League	36-30	2nd	Chicago Cubs
1967	Caldwell Cubs	Pioneer League	40-26	2nd	Chicago Cubs
1968	Caldwell Cubs	Pioneer League	33-30	3rd	Chicago Cubs
1969	Caldwell Cubs	Pioneer League	33-39	5th	Chicago Cubs
1970	Huron Cubs	Northern League	37-31	2nd	Chicago Cubs	none
1971	Lodi Padres	California League	65-74	6th	San Diego Padres
1973	Bakersfield Dodgers	California League	70-70	4th	Los Angeles Dodgers	Lost League Finals
1974	Bakersfield Dodgers	California League	65-75	5th	Los Angeles Dodgers