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The Spectacle Blog
Former big league utility player Ryan Freel was found dead yesterday of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 36.
Freel was a 10th round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1995 but did not reach the majors until 2001. But it wasn’t until 2003 when Freel got his big break with the Cincinnati Reds. His best seasons came between 2004 and 2006 stealing 30 plus bases each of those campaigns. He also possessed a solid glove whether he played in the outfield or at second and third base.
Off the field, Freel had a couple of DUI arrests but stopped drinking after 2006. However, by that time, injuries caught up with him and his playing time declined. Indeed, Freel’s hard nosed playing style resulted in a long history of concussions. Freel finished his big league career in 2009 splitting that season with the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs and the Kansas City Royals.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Freel returned to his hometown to coach young players with an organization called Big League Development.
I leave you with Freel hitting a single off 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee during an interleague game that year.
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More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/12/23/ryan-freel-rip
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Albert Constantine Jr.| 12.24.12 @ 9:21AM
Mr. Freel was frequently referred to as a dirtballer by the broadcasters when he was visiting in Philadelphia, which was their way of describing (as a compliment) a man who played hard at every position and tried to run out every grounder. I pray he may he find peace.
buckeyeman| 12.24.12 @ 11:02AM
A friend of mine committed suicide a couple of months ago. He was an obstetrician with no history of "concussions". When will this concussion nonsense end? There has never been any connection between a history of concussions and suicide but the press has now created one ... but for what purpose? Will baseball players now be required to wear football helmets? Or maybe those gay things the bicycle riders wear? Ryan Freel was a talented athlete who tragically took his own life. Honor him by leaving it at that.
Bob Grant| 12.24.12 @ 1:01PM
Organized baseball's been around much longer than organized football so there should be more data on concussions and suicides by former MLB players.
"Dirtballers" have been around as long as the game itself; stray foul balls to the noggin is NOT a new phenomenon; elbows and knees to a catcher's or baseman's head is nothing new; ...
I hope the sports journalists who try to link the two understand that correlation does not imply causation.
My best guess would be suicides among professional athletes across the board is a relatively new phenomenon. Perhaps it's not linked to concussions but to something cultural and spiritual.
Bob Grant| 12.24.12 @ 1:02PM
And BTW:
Merry Christmas to all!
Albert Constantine Jr.| 12.24.12 @ 3:31PM
...and to you, Mr. Grant.