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One of the greatest players ever to put on an Angels uniform, Jim Fregosi played for the club for 11 seasons. A six-time All Star for the Halos, Fregosi held the team’s all-time records for games played, hits, doubles, runs, and RBI when he left California in 1972.

Though many of his marks have since been eclipsed, Fregosi earned a spot in the Angels Hall of Fame and had his jersey #11 retired by the team in 1998.

Shown here is a questionnaire filled out and signed by Fregosi. It offers an interesting insight into the career of the first star of the Angel franchise.

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Jim Fregosi was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox at age 17 as an amateur free agent in 1960. Before year’s end the Los Angeles Angels selected him with the 35th pick in the expansion draft.

The shortstop made his big league debut and at 19 years old and was in the majors to stay by 1962. An All Star in six of seven seasons from 1964-1970, Fregosi received MVP consideration in eight consecutive seasons with the Angels.

Fregosi was so highly regarded that the Mets traded Nolan Ryan for him in December, 1971. New York acquired him to play third base.

The position change along with an injured thumb proved difficult for Fregosi. Though he never regained his All Star form, he continued as a part-time player until being released by the Pirates on June 1, 1978.

The day after his release, Angels GM Buzzie Bavasi contacted Fregosi and offered him the manager’s job at the behest of team owner Gene Autry. Fregosi took it and the team finished ten games above .500.

The next season Fregosi, with the help of league MVP Don Baylor, led the Angels to the American League Western Division championship and their first postseason appearance.

In the collection is Fregosi’s final contract as manager of the California Angels.

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Shown here is the signature page of Jim Fregosi’s last manager’s contract with the California Angels. Dated February 1, 1981, the document is signed by Fregosi and Angels general manager Mike Port.

A member of the Angels Hall of Fame, Fregosi has signed his full legal name, “James Louis Fregosi”. The team paid their skipper $65,000 in semi-monthly payments throughout the year.

A favorite of Angels fans and owner Gene Autry, Fregosi’s #11 was retired by the club in 1998.

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After Jim Fregosi led his team to their first postseason in 1979, the Angels slipped to 6th place in 1980 with a dismal 95-loss season. Both he and the club knew 1981 would be a make-or-break campaign.

The Halos hovered around .500 in early ’81. After losing to Dave Steib and the the last-place Blue Jays to fall to 22-25 in late May, the Angels fired Fregosi.

Shown here is a letter from Angels Vice President Mike Port dated May 29, 1981. It reads, “Albeit regretfully, we enclose a copy of the Notice you may need for your personal records at some point.”

The “Notice” to which the letter refers is shown in the next image.

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The day after the Angels lost to Dave Steib and the Blue Jays, owner Gene Autry made the difficult decision to fire his personal friend Jim Fregosi. Shown here his the Notice of Manager Release dated May 28, 1981.

Autry told the United Press International, “Jimmy has been a close personal friend of mine for many years. However, we have to think of the best interests of the club and for this reason we feel a change is necessary.”

Fregosi handled the news with class, saying, “I’m thankful for the opportunity that Gene and Buzzie (Bavasi) gave me to manage over the last three years. I just wish the team had played better. I think they’re an outstanding group of men and I wish them all the best of luck the rest of the season.

“And I wish the Angels organization and Gene Autry nothing but the best.”

Fregosi had quite a career, finishing with over 1,700 hits and more than 1,000 managerial wins.