Former Reds utility player Ryan Freel dead at 36 – MLB News
Former Cincinnati Reds utility player Ryan Freel is reported to have been found dead in his home at the Jacksonville, Fla. Sheriff’s office told the Florida Times-Union about the deeply shocking incident.
According to the report – confirmed by the police, the 36-year old former utility player was found dead with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Cincinnati Reds issued a statement, expressing the team’s profound grief over the news.
"The Reds family is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ryan Freel," the team said in a statement. "His teammates and our fans loved him for how hard he played the game, and he loved giving back to the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."
Ever since he had taken his retirement in 2010, Free was coaching local players, being par of the organization called Big League Development.
Freel spent most of his Major League career with the Cincinnati Reds. Having spent eight years in MLB, the player had earned fame for his gritty play and hustle. He had won wide fan following for his style and quality play.
For the former agent, Tommy Tanzer, the news was disturbing. Reminiscing the times he had seen and known the player, Tanzer said, "He was a guy who was always all in, the way he tried very hard and hustled like he did. He played all out and he lived that way too."
His career batting average bespoke of the consistency that he had maintained during the career. Being a .268 hitter in 594 career games, he also had 143 stolen bases. It was in 2006 that he started playing regularly at the centre field, being out of the utility role – having 132 appearances.
The player also had a friend in Brandon Phillips, Reds’ second baseman who tweeted a picture of Freel, with “Rest in Peace” message. "Really hurt by his passing," Phillips wrote. "You never will be forgotten."
Despite having been consistent and well-performing, in 2007 and 2008, the player was plagued by injuries and was limited to only 48 games.
It was in 2010 that he announced retirement from the game after he was first dealt to the Baltimore Orioles by the Reds - wherein the team got Ramon Hernandez. Freel was also associated with the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals.
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