Jim Frey, Cubs manager of 1984 division-winning team, dies at 88

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Jim Frey, who managed the Cubs to a playoff appearance in 1984, died in his home on Sunday. He was 88 years old.

Frey was the Cubs manager from 1984 to 1986. In his first season, he guided the Cubs to a 96-65 record and won NL Manager of the Year. The Cubs won the NL East and the first two games of the NLCS against the San Diego Padres that year, but lost the next three games in San Diego to be eliminated.

The Cubs went 77-84 in 1985 and got off to a 23-33 start in 1986 before Frey was fired. He finished with a 196-182 record in two-plus years with the Cubs.

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Previously as a manager, Frey led the Kansas City Royals to the 1980 World Series.

Frey rejoined the Cubs as a general manager before the 1988 season. In his second season, the Cubs again won the division, but lost in the NLCS. He left the role after the 1991 season.

The Cubs released a statement on Frey's death.

“The Chicago Cubs are saddened to learn of the passing of Jim Frey, a central figure in our club’s most memorable moments of the 1980s," the statement read. "Upon being named manager for the 1984 season, Jim took over a club that had not had a winning record since 1972 and immediately helped return the Cubs to post-season play, leading the team to the NL East title and first playoff appearance in 39 years, earning NL Manager of the Year honors along the way.  As our general manager, he constructed a playoff club in 1989 to again land the Cubs in the postseason five years later.
 
“We join the baseball community in mourning Jim’s passing and send our condolences to his family and friends."

Most recently, Frey worked in the front office for the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League. He had been the vice chairman for the team but shifted into an advisory role.

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