Former major league manager Jim Fregosi, who has been serving as a Braves special assistant to the general manager since 2000, died Friday in a Miami hospital.
Fregosi, 71, had suffered multiple strokes four days earlier and was was taken off life support Thursday night. He was flown to Miami from Grand Cayman on Wednesday, where he was on a Major League Baseball alumni cruise.
A spokesperson for MSC Cruises told The Associated Press that Fregosi became ill Tuesday while the MSC Divina was headed from Grand Cayman to Mexico.
"We have lost a dear friend and a wonderful baseball man," said Braves president John Schuerholz. "The Atlanta Braves will truly miss Jim and we send our deepest condolences to his wife Joni, his entire family and all of his many friends throughout baseball."
Fregosi managed 15 years with the Angels, White Sox, Phillies and Blue Jays, going 1,028-1,094, which included a National League pennant with the 1993 Phillies and an AL West crown with the 1979 Angels.
A six-time All-Star, he played 18 seasons with the Angels, Mets, Rangers and Pirates. A career .265 hitter, he hit 151 home runs with 706 RBIs.
