Noted baseball figure who pitched 19 seasons, managed 8, and coached 10, earning a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He's remembered for his impressive career longevity and versatility.
Freddie Fitzsimmons, nicknamed "Fat Freddie," was an American professional baseball righthanded pitcher, manager, and coach who made a lasting impact on the game with his mastery of the knuckle curve. With 217 wins under his belt, he was the third most successful National League righthander between 1920 and 1955, trailing only Burleigh Grimes and Paul Derringer.
Born on July 28, 1901, in Mishawaka, Indiana, Fitzsimmons broke into the Major Leagues in August 1925 with the New York Giants, posting a 6-3 record over the rest of the year. After seasons of 14 and 17 wins, he earned a career-high 20 victories in 1928, a year that saw the arrival of teammate Carl Hubbell.
Fitzsimmons and Hubbell formed a formidable left-right combination at the heart of the Giants' staff, with Fitzsimmons leading the NL in winning percentage for the first time with a 19-7 record (.731) in 1930. He followed this up with an 18-11 season in 1931 and notched 16 wins with a 2.90 earned run average in 1933, helping the Giants win the NL pennant.
In the 1933 World Series against the Washington Senators, Fitzsimmons suffered a 4-0 defeat in Game 3, but the Giants captured their first title since 1922. He had another 18-win season in 1934 and led the NL in putouts for the fourth time, tying Grover Cleveland Alexander's record.
After retiring as a player, Fitzsimmons went on to manage the Philadelphia Phillies from 1943 to 1945 and later coached for the Boston Braves and Brooklyn Dodgers. He passed away on November 18, 1979, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.
Fitzsimmons set an NL record in 1940 with a single-season winning percentage of .889 (16-2), which stood until 1959. He was an agile fielder in spite of his heavy build, holding the major league record for career double plays (79) from 1938 to 1964 and tying another record by leading the league in putouts four times.
Fitzsimmons' impressive career statistics, including his 217 wins, single-season winning percentage of .889, and major league record for career double plays, make him a standout figure in baseball history. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of players and fans alike.
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