Danny Frisella – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Danny Frisella put together a solid 10-year run in Major League Baseball as a relief pitcher. People called him “Bear” because of his sturdy 6-foot frame and his steady, reliable presence on the mound.

He was born in San Francisco in 1946. Frisella broke into the majors with the New York Mets in 1967 and ended up pitching for five different teams before wrapping up his career in 1976.

Frisella really hit his stride with the Mets between 1970 and 1972. He became their main right-handed reliever and had his best year in 1971, posting a 1.99 ERA and 12 saves.

He picked up the forkball from Diego Segui while playing winter ball in Venezuela. That pitch became his secret weapon and helped him find success in the big leagues.

The right-hander bounced around after New York, landing in Atlanta, San Diego, St. Louis, and finally Milwaukee. He finished up with 10 saves for the Brewers in 1976.

His story is one of a determined reliever who squeezed every bit of talent out of his arm, thanks to hard work and that signature forkball. Sadly, his life ended in tragedy just months after he retired.

Early Life and Background

Daniel Vincent Frisella grew up in a working-class family in San Francisco, born on March 4, 1946. His Italian-American and Irish-American roots influenced his early life.

He learned baseball at Junípero Serra High School. After that, he took his talents to Washington State University, where he stood out as a pitcher.

Birth and Family Origins

Daniel Vincent “Danny” Frisella arrived on March 4, 1946, in San Francisco, California. His father worked as an Italian-American firefighter and passed down strong work values.

His mom brought Irish-American heritage to the mix. That blend of backgrounds was actually pretty common in San Francisco back in the 1940s.

San Francisco offered Danny year-round baseball weather, which made it easy for him to play and practice. The city’s love for baseball definitely helped spark his interest in the sport.

With his dad working as a firefighter, the family understood public service and hard work. Those lessons stuck with Danny as he moved into his baseball career.

Education and College Baseball

Danny went to Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, where he shined as a ballplayer. College scouts noticed his talent early on.

After high school, he started at the College of San Mateo for his freshman year. That junior college experience helped him sharpen his game before heading to a four-year school.

Washington State University Career:

• Pitched two seasons (sophomore and junior years)
• Led his team to division titles both years
• Twice made the All-Conference team
• Became a top prospect under college coaches

His strong college career made him a hot prospect for the majors. The Braves drafted him in 1965, but he decided to keep playing college ball for a bit longer.

Nickname and Personality

Danny picked up the nickname “Bear” during his career, probably because of his size and the way he played. The name stuck, and soon everyone—teammates and fans alike—knew him as Bear.

At 6 feet tall and 185 pounds, he had the build to back up his nickname. On the mound, he looked pretty intimidating to hitters.

He threw right-handed but batted left-handed. That unusual combo added a unique twist to his player profile.

Danny’s personality reflected his working-class roots. Folks who played with him or coached him said he always brought dedication and professionalism to the field.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Danny Frisella pitched in the majors for 10 seasons, from 1967 to 1976, and suited up for five teams as a reliever. He found the most success with the New York Mets from 1970 to 1972, serving as their top right-handed bullpen arm and earning the “Bear” nickname.

Teams Played For

Frisella played for five MLB teams over his career. The New York Mets drafted him in 1966, and he spent most of his early years with them from 1967 to 1972.

After New York, the Mets traded him to the Atlanta Braves with Gary Gentry for Felix Millan and George Stone. He struggled a bit in Atlanta, posting a 4.67 ERA over 78 games across two seasons.

The San Diego Padres picked him up in a trade for Cito Gaston, and he bounced back with a 3.13 ERA in 1975. In his last season in 1976, he played for both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers, closing out his career as Milwaukee’s closer.

Major League Debut and Final Appearance

Frisella made his MLB debut on July 27, 1967 for the New York Mets in Los Angeles. He was just 21, only in his second year of pro ball after getting drafted in 1966.

He moved through the minors quickly, even though he wasn’t a power pitcher. His curveball got him promoted from Class A to Triple-A Jacksonville after only 24 starts.

Frisella’s final MLB season came in 1976, split between the Cardinals and Brewers. He wrapped up with the Brewers, finishing strong by saving 10 games as their closer.

Role as Relief Pitcher

Frisella started out as a pitcher but switched to relief work pretty early. He made 11 starts for the Mets in 1967, but his stuff just didn’t hold up for a starter’s role in the majors.

Things changed for him in the winter of 1969. Diego Segui taught him the forkball in Venezuela, and that pitch totally changed his career as a reliever.

His best year came in 1971, when he teamed up with Tug McGraw in the Mets bullpen. He finished with a 1.99 ERA, 92 strikeouts in 90⅔ innings, and 12 saves, closing out 42 games.

Career Longevity and Highlights

Frisella’s 11-year pro career stretched from 1966 to 1976, with 10 seasons in the majors. He played in parts of 10 different big-league seasons, even with some interruptions.

His time in the Air National Guard interrupted his career. He had to juggle the majors, minors, and military training in his early years—a common story for players during the Vietnam War era.

Career stats show he was a dependable reliever, with 1971 standing out as his best year. At the All-Star break, he’d pitched 47 innings with a 1.72 ERA, giving up just 10 runs and striking out 51.

In 1976, the Milwaukee Brewers gave him a shot, and he proved he still had it. He logged 10 saves as their closer before his life was cut short on New Year’s Day 1977.

Notable Seasons and Achievements

Danny Frisella had a few standout stretches, especially his big years with the New York Mets from 1970-1972 and his closing run with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1976. That 1971 season, with a 1.99 ERA and 12 saves, really stands out.

Breakout Years with the New York Mets

Frisella made the jump from struggling starter to top reliever in 1970, right after picking up the forkball from Diego Segui in Venezuela. That new pitch gave him a real edge and kicked off his best years.

In 1971, he reached his career peak with the Mets. He threw 1.99 ERA ball over 90⅔ innings, grabbed 12 saves, and struck out 92 batters. The first half was especially dominant, with a 1.72 ERA by the All-Star break.

He teamed up with Tug McGraw in the bullpen, handling right-handed duties. Frisella finished 42 games that year, building a reputation as one of the Mets’ most reliable relievers.

He kept it going into 1972, even as arm problems started to show up. He still managed nine saves before the Mets traded him to Atlanta with Gary Gentry for Felix Millan and George Stone.

Stellar Performance with the Milwaukee Brewers

After some tough years in Atlanta and a short stop in San Diego, Frisella found new life with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1976. They picked him up from the St. Louis Cardinals after just two months.

With Milwaukee, he took over as closer and put together his best season since his Mets days. He racked up 10 saves for the Brewers.

Even late in his career, he showed he could still get outs in the American League. His work helped steady the Brewers’ bullpen in the season’s final stretch.

That late-career bounce-back showed just how adaptable Frisella was. He proved he could still compete at a high level, even after nearly a decade in pro baseball.

1976 MLB Season Review

Frisella’s last season turned out to be pretty eventful, with stops on two teams in both leagues. He started the year with St. Louis after a trade from San Diego right before Opening Day.

He didn’t last long with the Cardinals—just two months—before the Brewers picked him up. The move to the American League seemed to recharge him, and he quickly took over as Milwaukee’s closer.

The 1976 season gave him a strong finish to his playing days. Those 10 saves with the Brewers matched his highest total since 1971.

Even with all the team changes, Frisella kept his edge as a reliever. He closed out games for Milwaukee, showing he still had the skills that made him a reliable bullpen arm.

Career Statistics and Records

Danny Frisella finished his 10-year career with 34 wins, 40 losses, and a 3.32 ERA over 351 games. He tallied 57 saves, making his mark as a dependable relief pitcher.

Wins, Losses, and Saves

Frisella wrapped up his career with a 34-40 record over 10 seasons from 1967 to 1976. The win-loss numbers might look modest, but that’s pretty typical for a reliever.

His 57 career saves were his biggest contribution to his teams. In 1971 with the Mets, he notched 12 saves, his best single season. He also hit double digits in 1976, finishing with 10 saves between the Cardinals and Brewers.

He started just 17 games out of 351 appearances. His career was really all about relief work, which explains the lower win totals, even after a decade in the majors.

His best years in terms of wins came in 1970 and 1971 with the Mets. In 1970, he went 8-3 with a 3.02 ERA, and in 1971, he improved to 8-5 with a 1.99 ERA.

Key Pitching Metrics: ERA and WHIP

Frisella posted a 3.32 career ERA, which was quite solid for a reliever in his era. His top single-season ERA came in 1971, with a 1.99 mark over 90.2 innings for the Mets.

His career WHIP was 1.338, meaning he allowed about 1.34 baserunners per inning. That shows decent control, though by today’s standards, it’s just okay.

In 1971, he really had everything working. That year, his 1.99 ERA came with a 1.169 WHIP, which was his best in that category. He struck out 93 hitters and walked only 30, putting up a strong 3.10 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Frisella’s ERA bounced around quite a bit. After that awesome 1971 season, he struggled with a 4.67 ERA in Atlanta over two years from 1973-1974.

Other Important Stats: Games and RBI

Frisella played in 351 games over his career, finishing 215 of them as a closer. He really took on a heavy workload in 1975 with San Diego, pitching in 65 games.

He struck out 471 batters in 609.1 innings. His strikeout numbers hit their peak with the Mets, especially in 1971, when he fanned 93 hitters over 90.2 innings.

Pitchers like Frisella didn’t get many chances to hit, and he only made 84 plate appearances in his career. Unsurprisingly, his RBI numbers stayed low, which was pretty normal for a relief pitcher back then, especially as the designated hitter rule was just coming in.

Frisella often pitched more than one inning at a time, showing off his durability. On average, he threw 1.7 innings per game, which says a lot about how teams used relievers in the 1970s compared to now.

Life After Baseball and Retirement in 1976

Danny Frisella finished his baseball career after the 1976 season, wrapping up a decade in the majors. He settled down in Phoenix, Arizona, and started focusing on life beyond baseball, working on new business ventures with his wife.

Transition out of Major League Baseball

In 1976, Frisella put together one of his best seasons in years. Even though he got traded twice that year, he found some stability as a closer for the Milwaukee Brewers.

He picked up 10 saves for Milwaukee, his highest total since leaving the Mets. His 3.12 ERA showed he still had good stuff at age 30.

The trades in 1976 really highlighted how unpredictable baseball can be. Frisella started with the St. Louis Cardinals before landing in Milwaukee.

He spent two months in St. Louis, then the Brewers gave him a steady role again. That stability helped him put up solid numbers in his final season.

Life in Phoenix and Personal Interests

After retiring, Frisella made Phoenix his home for good. The warm Arizona weather seemed to suit him and his growing family.

He lived there with his wife, Pamela, and their son Jason, in a house just under 100 feet from where his accident would happen. The couple started a jewelry business together, planning ahead for life after baseball.

Frisella clearly thought about his future beyond the game. While plenty of players struggled with the transition, he and Pamela seemed ready.

The jewelry business was their way of building financial security outside baseball. Pamela played a big part in his life, both as a motivator and training partner, and she stayed deeply involved in their business plans.

At the time of the accident, Pamela was pregnant with their second son, Daniel, who would be born after Frisella’s death.

Tragic Death and Legacy

Danny Frisella’s life ended suddenly on New Year’s Day 1977 in a dune buggy accident near his Phoenix home. The tragedy left behind Pamela, two sons, and a baseball community that remembered him for his resilience and skill as a relief pitcher.

Dune Buggy Accident in Arizona

On January 1, 1977, a dune buggy accident near his Phoenix home took Frisella’s life. He was only 30.

Frisella and a friend rode the dune buggy at a slow speed, less than 100 feet from his house. When the vehicle started to tip in the sand, he reacted fast.

He pulled the hand brake and tried to jump out, but his foot got caught. The rollbar crushed his head as the buggy overturned.

The accident happened during what should’ve been a simple, fun outing near home.

Impact on Family and Baseball Community

Frisella’s death left Pamela and their sons, Jason and Daniel, behind. Daniel hadn’t even been born yet when his father died.

He and Pamela had started a jewelry business together, hoping it would give them financial security after baseball.

Frisella became the third active major leaguer to die after the 1976 season. Bob Moose died in a car crash in October, and Danny Thompson passed away from leukemia in December.

The baseball world mourned the loss of a pitcher who’d made a name for himself as a relief specialist. Teammates and coaches remembered his determination and his forkball, which really set him apart.

Commemoration and Lasting Influence

People gathered in Burlingame, California, to honor Frisella’s memory at his funeral. Family, friends, and folks from the baseball world came together to remember him.

Serra High School in San Mateo, California, welcomed Frisella into their Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992. They wanted to celebrate his early baseball achievements before he ever went pro.

Fans still remember his nickname, “Bear,” and the way he pitched relief for the New York Mets from 1970 to 1972. He notched 12 saves in 1971 and finished with a 1.99 ERA.

Honestly, his story sticks with you. It really makes you think about how quickly life can flip for pro athletes, doesn’t it?