RIP Ryan Freel

Former MLB infielder, most notably with the Reds, commits suicide at age 36:

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/topstories/article/288484/483/Former-Big-Leaguer-from-Jax-Ryan-Freel-Dead-at-36

 

Holy shit.

 

Damn. RIP.

And with that coming from a radio report at 9:42, I'm wondering how long it will take for AP to catch up with the news.

 

When he was just breaking in, I used to go to a handful of Reds games a year (usually when they were playing the Cubs). Even though I'm a blue-blooded Cubs fan, Ryan Freel quickly became one of my favorite players because of the way he went after every ball and covered so much ground (and could play virtually every position). He played with such enthusiasm. He did briefly play for the Cubs (which increased my appreciation factor for him even more) on the last legs of his career.

RIP. Awful to hear this news.

 

Damn I remember when he was a Jays prospect of some promise. I saw him play years ago in Ottawa for the Louisville Bats.

RIP.

 

Times-Union going with it now.

http://m.jacksonville.com/sports/baseball/2012-12-22/story/jacksonville-sheriffs-office-former-mlb-player-jacksonville-native

 

Wow, that sucks. Best to his family and friends.

 

Echoing what Buck said: holy shit.

He was one of my favorite players growing up.

RIP.

 

As far as I can tell, AP still hasn't moved a word on this. A day later. Curious.

 

What a surprise bit of news. Holy cow... went to a few Reds games and thought the same of Freel. Good, blue-collar hard worker. RIP, right at Christmas... very sad.

 

Freel basically had to retire from concussions, one of which happened when he was hit in the head by a pickoff throw. So perhaps this is unsurprising when you really think about it.

 

Trent Rosecrans and Marc Lancaster wrote a very nice tribute/remembrance on CBSSports.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/21444808/remembering-ryan-freel