Travis Fryman
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Birth Name: David Travis Fryman College: None Personal: Wife Kathleen, Three Sons
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“I’ve always considered myself a blue-collar type of player and an overachiever. I only hope that people thought I gave my best effort out there, If I was not able to play at an acceptable level, I would walk away. This season has been really long, but the 13 years went by really fast ” - Fryman following retirement Travis Fryman went from being an up and coming short stop with the Detroit Tigers to a Gold Glove winner at third base for the Cleveland Indians. Fryman was solid both at the plate and in the field and strove to provide leadership for the Tigers while struggling to find peace with himself. Fryman curbed his depression by turning to religion in 1994 and fulfilled a respectable major league career. A five time All-Star Fryman became part of the core of an Indians team that dominated a weak AL Central in the late 90’s. At the age of 31 he experienced his best season in 2000. Unfortunately injuries forced him into retirement just two seasons later. Travis Fryman spent eight years in Detroit. The Tigers had made him the 30th draft choice of the 1987 draft and Fryman was playing for the team as early as 1990. He spent time at short stop and third base switching positions with Tiger legend Alan Trammell. Originally Travis was groomed to be the future short stop for the team, however by 1993 it was obvious that he was better suited for third base. During the 1993 season Fryman continued his success. In a April 17th game against the Mariners he had four hits and scored five times helping the Tigers beat the Seattle Mariners 20-3. Oddly on July 22nd Fryman was walked by Kansas City Royals pitcher Enrique Burogs. Burogs then threw three wild pitches and Travis came around to score. Six days later he became the first tiger in 43 years to hit for the cycle as he does it against the New York Yankees in a 12-7 loss. “You’ve got the world in your hands” -Sparky Anderson “I’m empty inside” - Fryman It was in 1994 that Fryman turned to religion to curb his inside depression. Since that time Fryman has become an advocate for the Church. He would match his career high of five hits in a win against the Orioles on July 1st of 1994. On the 16th of July he hit a grand slam that eventually turned out to be a game winner. “Travis was a great leader and a great talent. The Tigers should have never let him go. He’s one of those true team players.” - Ernie Harwell In the fall of 1997 Fryman was traded to the expansion Arizona Diamondbacks. Just Weeks later he was again on the move. The Cleveland Indians acquired him for standout Matt Williams. That following season Fryman rebounded from an early season slump to hit .287 with 28 homers in leading the Indians to their fourth-straight AL Central title. It had been Fryman’s best season to date and the Indians were ready for the 1999 season. Sadly Fryman suffered though back pain and torn ligaments in his right knee. He returned in time for the playoffs but the Indians were defeated in the ALCS by the New York Yankees. “My buddies and I hunt wild hogs near my home in Florida, or we look for deer in Alabama, Sometimes I’ll shoot down in the basement of where I live in Cleveland. Sometimes in the second half of the season I’ll take my bow on road trips. I’ll practice drawing in my room. It’s a good little exercise. Keeps your muscles in shape.” - Travis commenting about his bow and arrow hunting. In 2000 Travis had his best season of his career. He won his first Gold Glove that season and set highs with a .321 batting average, 38 doubles, and 106 RBI. Two seasons later Fryman was hanging up the cleats. Unfortunately injuries had put the 33 year old out of the game. Fryman disappointed was not deterred. He began to focus his new found free time in spreading the word of God at religious seminars. The next two seasons weren’t kind to Fryman’s body. He struggled though injuries and during the 2002 season announced that he was retiring at the end of the season. Fryman was just 33 at the time of his retirement. “We’ve loved him since the day he got here, He’s been like a dad to us.” - Jim Thome prior to Travis’ last game “I’ve got three sons, so there’s no chance of me getting away from baseball,” - Travis Fryman following retirement “It’s a natural opportunity to bring people to a ballpark because of their enjoyment of baseball and to give players a chance to share their faith, when I gave my life to Christ and began to feel that I wanted to use some of (my) notoriety and share what was important in my life, Home Plate was a good place to begin to learn to do that.” - Travis Fryman commenting on religion |
