Former White Sox manager Jim Fregosi, who suffered multiple strokes last weekend during an MLB alumni cruise, was reportedly taken off life support tonight after Twitter rumors of his death circulated earlier this afternoon.  Fregosi took over the White Sox in June of 1986 after general manager Hawk Harrelson fired Tony LaRussa.  “The team is 9 1/2 games out, that’s nothing,” Fregosi said upon being hired.  “I don’t see any reason we can’t turn things around and compete in our division.”  The White Sox did improve slightly under Fregosi, but still finished in 5th place.

Things did not go any better in 1987, when the White Sox again finished in 5th place.  A late season surge lifted the team out of last place in the AL West and saved Fregosi’s job, at least for one more year.  Unfortunately, things got worse in 1988, as the White Sox dropped to 71-90 and their third straight 5th place finish.  GM Larry Himes, who replaced Harrelson and inherited Fregosi, fired him following the season, ending 2 years of an uncomfortable pairing.

Fregosi ended his tenure on the South Side at 36 games under .500, but kept the team steady during threats of moving to Florida and the tumultuous reign of Hawk Harrelson.  Tonight, he ends his tenure on this mortal coil.   May his family enjoy some measure of comfort in this difficult time.