Gene Freese – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Gene Freese wrapped up his Major League Baseball career on September 3, 1966, closing out a 12-season run that took him to seven different teams.

The third baseman from Wheeling, West Virginia, built a reputation as a classic journeyman during a time when baseball was shifting and growing in all sorts of ways.

Freese finished his career with the Houston Astros, capping off a journey that stretched from 1955 to 1966. He suited up for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago White Sox, among others.

He navigated the ups and downs of life as a utility player in the majors, and folks started calling him “Augie” early on.

Gene Freese’s story gives us a glimpse into the lives of players who kept baseball going in the 1950s and 1960s.

From breaking in with the Pirates to his big year with the 1961 Cincinnati Reds, Freese showed just how much dedication it takes to stick around in pro baseball for so long.

Early Life and Background

Gene Freese was born Eugene Lewis Freese on January 8, 1934, in Wheeling, West Virginia.

He grew up in this blue-collar city and found his love for baseball as a teenager at Wheeling Central High School.

Family and Childhood

Eugene Lewis Freese came into the world on January 8, 1934, in Wheeling, West Virginia.

People called him “Gene” most of his life, though “Augie” stuck as well.

Wheeling, back in the 1930s and 1940s, was a pretty standard industrial town.

That community gave young athletes like Freese a solid start.

His family got behind his passion for sports early on.

Baseball became his thing during those childhood years in West Virginia.

He showed natural athletic talent from the start.

He spent hours practicing and sharpening his skills on whatever local fields he could find.

High School and Education

Freese attended Wheeling Central High School, a Catholic school in his hometown.

The school’s athletic program helped him grow as a ballplayer.

He played all over the field during high school.

That versatility caught the eye of scouts.

Freese graduated from Wheeling Central, and he’s now listed among the school’s notable athletic alumni.

His high school performance set him up for a pro career.

Wheeling Central gave him discipline and taught him teamwork.

Those skills definitely helped him once he got to the big leagues.

Path to Professional Baseball

Scouts noticed Freese’s talent while he was still in high school.

The Pittsburgh Pirates saw his potential and signed him in 1953.

He was just 19 when he signed that first pro contract.

That move kicked off a 17-season run in professional baseball.

The Pirates thought he could be a solid infielder.

They started working with him in their minor league system.

Signing with Pittsburgh kept him close to home.

Wheeling isn’t far from the Pirates’ home city.

This chance with the Pirates put Freese on track for his major league debut in 1955.

His journey from small-town West Virginia to the majors was underway.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Gene Freese played 12 seasons of professional baseball from 1955 to 1966.

He carved out a spot as a reliable infielder for seven different MLB teams.

Freese’s career involved a lot of moving around, steady defense at third base, and a big year with the 1961 Cincinnati Reds.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Freese made his MLB debut on April 13, 1955, for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He had signed with them in 1953, right after finishing high school in Wheeling.

During his rookie year, teammates started calling him “Augie.”

That nickname came from umpire Augie Donatelli, who was behind the plate for Freese’s first big league game.

Freese started showing promise as an infielder in those early years with Pittsburgh.

He played for the Pirates from 1955 to 1958, picking up the basics of major league baseball.

He batted .253 with 14 home runs and 44 RBIs as a rookie in 1955.

His older brother George also played for the Pirates that year, which made for a cool family connection.

Teams Played For and Transfers

Freese’s career took him to a lot of different teams, and people knew him as a journeyman.

He played for seven organizations over his 12 years in the big leagues.

Teams and Years:

• Pittsburgh Pirates (1955-1958, 1964-1965)
• St. Louis Cardinals (1958)
• Philadelphia Phillies (1959)
• Chicago White Sox (1960, 1965-1966)
• Cincinnati Reds (1961-1963)
• Houston Astros (1966)

He hit his stride with the Cincinnati Reds from 1961 to 1963.

The Reds picked him up from the White Sox in an off-season trade before 1961.

That year with Cincinnati, Freese set career highs: 26 home runs, 87 RBIs, and 152 games played.

The Reds grabbed their first NL pennant since 1940, though the Yankees beat them in the World Series.

Positions: Third Baseman and Second Baseman

Freese mostly played third base, especially during his big 1961 season when he started 151 games at the position.

He stood 5’11” and weighed 175 pounds, batting and throwing right-handed.

While his defense was solid, he did have his struggles.

Freese led NL third basemen in errors in 1957 and 1959, so he wasn’t flawless in the field.

He also played some second base, mainly early on with Pittsburgh.

That flexibility helped him stick around, since teams liked having someone who could play a few spots.

Freese’s defense got some attention during the 1961 World Series, but not always for the right reasons.

Yankees third baseman Clete Boyer made two highlight-reel plays against him in the series opener, just showing how tough the competition was at third.

Pittsburgh Pirates and Notable Seasons

Gene Freese spent a good chunk of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, playing two separate stints from 1955-1958 and 1964-1965.

His time with the Pirates helped him develop into a solid big league player and showed he could handle multiple infield roles during key National League seasons.

Role with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Freese got his major league start with the Pirates on April 13, 1955, at just 21 years old.

He flashed some power as a rookie, hitting 14 home runs while splitting time between second and third base.

The Pirates used his versatility throughout his first years with them.

He mostly played third, but they plugged him in at second base too.

That gave the team some options defensively.

His teammates gave him the “Augie” nickname during his first year, and it stuck.

When the Pirates brought Freese back in 1964, he returned with more experience.

He played two more seasons for Pittsburgh before the team sent him to the White Sox in 1965.

Key Seasons in the National League

Freese’s best National League years actually came with the Cincinnati Reds, but his time with the Pirates was important for his growth.

During his first run with Pittsburgh from 1955-1958, he proved he could handle third base.

He led NL third basemen in errors in 1957, which shows he played a lot but also had some rough patches.

His 1955 rookie season marked his start in the National League.

Those 14 home runs that year hinted at the power he’d later show.

Freese’s second stint with the Pirates in 1964-1965 came after his standout 1961 season with the Reds.

He helped Cincinnati win their first NL pennant in more than two decades.

Significant Teammates and Managers

Freese played with several notable Pirates during his time there.

His rookie teammates in 1955 gave him the “Augie” nickname that stuck for the rest of his career.

The Pirates organization helped shape him after signing him in 1953.

Coaches and managers during both stints with Pittsburgh taught him how to play multiple infield spots.

When Freese returned to the Pirates in the mid-‘60s, he brought experience from other NL teams.

He knew the league’s pitchers and proved he could still contribute on offense, which made him a valuable addition to the roster.

The Pirates brought him back because they trusted his skills and he already fit into their clubhouse culture.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Gene Freese put together a .254 batting average over 12 years in the majors.

He finished with 877 hits and 115 home runs, mostly playing third and second base.

His best offensive year came in 1959 with Philadelphia, when he hit 23 homers and drove in 70 runs.

Batting and Fielding Records

Freese kept his numbers steady throughout his career, collecting 432 RBIs and 429 runs in 1,115 games.

His career on-base percentage was .305, and his slugging percentage landed at .418, for a .723 OPS.

Key Career Totals:

• Batting Average: .254
• Home Runs: 115
• RBIs: 432
• Hits: 877
• Doubles: 161
• Triples: 28

Freese showed he could handle more than one position.

He played second base, shortstop, and left field besides his main spot at third.

His defense was dependable, if not flashy.

He filled the utility infielder role for six teams during his career.

Runs, Hits, and Home Runs

Freese’s best season came in 1961 with Cincinnati.

He notched career highs that year: 159 hits, 78 runs, and 87 RBIs.

His 1959 year with Philadelphia was his peak for power.

He hit 23 home runs, batted .268, and posted a strong .500 slugging percentage.

Best Single-Season Numbers:

• Most Hits: 159 (1961)
• Most Home Runs: 26 (1961)
• Most RBIs: 87 (1961)
• Most Runs: 78 (1961)

He managed double-digit home runs in five different years.

Freese made his biggest impact with the Reds and White Sox.

Memorable Games and Performances

Freese’s career was more about steady production than one-off heroics.

His 1961 run with Cincinnati stands out as his best stretch, helping the Reds compete in the NL.

In 1960 with Chicago, he put up a 2.6 WAR, showing his value went beyond just the basic stats.

He hit .273 with 17 home runs and 79 RBIs for the White Sox that season.

Freese’s ability to play multiple positions came in handy, especially in 1958 when he played for both Pittsburgh and St. Louis.

That adaptability made him a player teams wanted.

His most reliable years came with the Reds from 1961 to 1963, where he proved he could handle an everyday role.

Final Season and Retirement in 1966

Gene Freese finished his 12-year MLB career in 1966 at age 32.

He split his last season between the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros, then retired on September 3, 1966.

Performance in the 1966 MLB Season

Freese’s 1966 season really showed the typical struggles you’d expect from a veteran player in his final year. He started out with the Chicago White Sox, but halfway through, the team traded him to the Houston Astros.

His offensive numbers just weren’t what they used to be. As a third baseman, his batting average and power had dropped off a lot compared to his earlier days with teams like the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Final Game Statistics:

• Date: September 3, 1966
• Opponent: Atlanta Braves
• Performance: 3 at-bats, 0 hits, 0 home runs, 0 RBIs

The move to Houston gave Freese one last shot to make an impact in the majors. Still, younger players started taking over, and his playing time shrank.

Factors Leading to Retirement

Age played the biggest part in Freese’s decision to walk away after the 1966 season. He was 32 and had been playing pro ball since 1955, so he’d already put in a long run.

His offensive production was fading, and teams just wanted to give younger guys a chance. He could probably see the writing on the wall.

Playing third base isn’t easy on the body, especially as you get older. The position demands quick reflexes and a strong arm, and those skills just start slipping after a while.

Career Totals Through 1966:

• Games: 1,115
• Hits: 877
• Home Runs: 115
• RBIs: 432
• Batting Average: .254

Legacy After Retirement

Freese didn’t hang up his cleats right away. He spent two more seasons in the minors, playing for Triple-A teams linked to the Cubs, White Sox, and Senators in 1967 and 1968.

He settled down in New Orleans, making it his home for about 60 years. Even after baseball, he kept in touch with the sport but also branched out into other interests.

The 1966 Topps card ended up being his last major league trading card. For a guy from West Virginia, it’s a neat reminder of a career that touched six different MLB teams.

Freese died on June 19, 2013, at 79, in New Orleans after complications from back surgery. His life spanned a huge chunk of baseball history, from the 1950s right into the modern era.

Personal Life and Lasting Legacy

Gene Freese put down roots in New Orleans for six decades after his baseball days. Teammates started calling him “Augie” in his rookie season, and the nickname stuck.

He passed away in 2013 at 79, leaving behind a legacy that showed future players the value of being a journeyman and always giving your best.

Personal Interests and Family

Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, Freese always kept close ties to his hometown. The city even inducted him into the Wheeling Hall of Fame to honor his impact on local sports.

His older brother, George, also played briefly in the majors. Later, George became a longtime scout and managed in the minors, keeping the Freese name connected to pro baseball.

After leaving the majors in 1966, Freese managed the AA Shreveport Captains for two years. He got to pass along his baseball know-how to younger players.

New Orleans became his true home base, far from West Virginia, and he really became part of the Louisiana community.

Nickname ‘Augie’ and Public Image

Freese picked up the nickname “Augie” during his rookie year with the Pirates in 1955. Teammates gave it to him because umpire Augie Donatelli was behind the plate for Freese’s first big league game.

The name stuck throughout his career and became part of who he was in baseball circles. It kind of shows the close-knit, tradition-heavy vibe of baseball in the ’50s and ’60s.

Freese played for seven teams over 12 seasons, and people respected him for his adaptability and professionalism. He was that reliable third baseman every team could use.

Even though he led NL third basemen in errors in 1957 and 1959, coaches valued him for his bat and his willingness to put the team first.

Passing and Cemetery Details

Gene Freese died on June 18, 2013, in Metairie, Louisiana, at 79. Complications after back surgery finally caught up with him, ending a long stretch of health issues.

He spent his last six decades in the New Orleans area, and by then, that Louisiana connection probably felt stronger than his West Virginia roots.

People remember him as part of the Diamond Club Hall of Fame and a key figure in New Orleans baseball. His passing really marked the end of an era for those who watched him play.

Fans and local sports media in Louisiana paid tribute, especially those who knew him from his years after playing. His funeral brought out longtime baseball fans who hadn’t forgotten his place in the game.

Influence on Future Players

Freese played as a journeyman and, honestly, set a real example for the next wave of baseball players. He bounced between teams and situations, showing everyone just how much flexibility matters in pro sports.

In 1961, he had his standout season with the Cincinnati Reds. He hit 26 home runs and racked up 87 RBIs, both career highs.

That year, the Reds grabbed their first pennant since 1940, and Freese played a big part in that run. He proved that veteran players can still make a difference on championship teams.

After he retired, Freese managed in the minor leagues and worked closely with younger players. He brought his experience from several major league organizations, and those insights helped a lot with developing new talent.

He earned spots in the Wheeling Hall of Fame and the Diamond Club Hall of Fame. Those honors keep his legacy alive, inspiring players from his hometown and the community he adopted.