Fregosi Expected to Be Named Manager of the White Sox Today

Jim Fregosi, after publicly saying farewell to fans at a minor league game in Louisville, Ky., Saturday night, was expected to be named manager of the Chicago White Sox today.

The White Sox, who have played two games under interim manager Doug Rader since Manager Tony LaRussa was fired Friday, called a press conference for this morning. However, General Manager Ken Harrelson would not confirm that Fregosi, manager of the Louisville Redbirds, would be the White Sox manager.

Saturday night, during Louisville’s game with Buffalo, the Redbird public address announcer read a statement from team owner A. Ray Smith after the second inning congratulating Fregosi on being named manager of the White Sox.

Fregosi received an ovation and told the crowd, “This has been a great four years. This is my home city, and I’ll miss all of you.”

The Louisville Courier-Journal said Fregosi would be in the dugout for Chicago’s game against Seattle today.

Fregosi, 44, said before Saturday night’s game: “I’ve talked to the White Sox and really at this time we have not reached an agreement.

“I am interested in the job, I talked to Kenny and we’re just going to see what happens, we should know something by tomorrow.

Fregosi, a former All-Star shortstop with the Angels, managed the Angels in 1978-1981 and won the American League West title in 1979.

He has been the manager at Louisville since 1983 and has won two American Assn. titles.