Bill Freehan - Career Statistics

Career Statistics

In his 15-year career, Freehan played in 1774 games with 1591 hits in 6073 at bats for a .262 batting average along with 241 doubles, 200 home runs, 758 RBI, and a .340 on base percentage. In addition to his home runs and total bases, his .412 slugging average and totals of 1591 hits, 706 runs and 476 extra base hits all put him among the top five American League catchers to that time. His batting totals are particularly remarkable in light of the fact that offense was at a low throughout the sport during his career, with a decided advantage toward pitchers. Freehan led all American League catchers in fielding percentage four times (1965, 1966, 1970, 1973). He also ranked sixth in American League history with 114 times being hit by a pitch. He was named an All-Star in each of the eleven seasons in which he caught at least 75 games. His 11 All-Star Game appearances are the most by any eligible player who is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Freehan caught more games as a catcher than any other player in Tigers' team history and, he ranked ninth in major league history in games caught (1581) at the end of his career.

A five-time Gold Glove Award winner, Freehan held the major league record for highest career fielding percentage (.9933) until 2002, when Dan Wilson broke his record. His career totals of 200 home runs and 2502 total bases placed him behind only Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey among American League catchers when he retired. In 1973 and 1974 he surpassed Berra to become the American League's all-time leader in putouts and total chances; he broke Johnny Roseboro's major league marks in 1975. Freehan held the records for career putouts (9941) and total chances (10,734) from 1975 until the late 1980s; Bob Boone broke his major league mark for career total chances in 1987, and Gary Carter surpassed his putouts total in 1988; Carlton Fisk broke his American League records in 1989 (total chances) and 1990 (putouts).

In 1969, Freehan penned "Behind the Mask", a diary-type recording of his thoughts and experiences as seen from the catcher's perspective. After retiring, he coached Tigers catcher Lance Parrish on the fine points of playing his position. He served as a color commentator for Seattle Mariners broadcasts in 1979-80, and for Tigers broadcasts on PASS Sports television in 1984-85, and returned to the University of Michigan as head coach of the baseball team from 1989 to 1995.