Former big league pitcher Dave Frost recently passed away, the Angels confirmed this afternoon. He was 70 years old.
A Long Beach native, Frost attended Stanford. The White Sox selected the 6’6″ hurler in the 18th round of the 1974 draft. He pitched his way to the big leagues with Chicago three years later. Frost made his MLB debut against the Halos as part of a four-appearance rookie season. Over the 1977-78 offseason, the Sox dealt him to California alongside outfielder Brian Downing and right-hander Chris Knapp for three-time All-Star Bobby Bonds (as well as then-prospects Thad Bosley and Richard Dotson).
Frost would play the bulk of his career in Southern California. He pitched for the Halos between 1978-81, leading the team with 239 1/3 innings across 36 outings in 1979. Frost pitched to a 3.57 ERA and threw 12 complete games that year, the best season of his career. He ultimately tossed 445 1/3 frames for the Angels in parts of four campaigns, posting a 3.90 ERA while striking out 181 batters.
After the ’81 season, Frost qualified for free agency. He signed with the Royals and spent one injury-riddled year in Kansas City. After posting a 5.51 ERA across 81 2/3 innings, he was released. Frost would play one more season in Triple-A but never got another big league look. He ended his playing career at age 30. The right-hander appeared for three MLB clubs over a six-season career. He tossed 550 2/3 frames with a 4.10 ERA, picking up 222 punchouts and winning 33 games.
MLBTR sends our thoughts and condolences to Frost’s family, friends, loved ones and former teammates.
Feels young nowadays RIP
RIP.
He was a key on that 1979, first AL West championship team.
That’s what I think of too. Like many of the 1979 California Angels’ players, Dave Frost had his best season. However, I couldn’t help thinking that Dave Frost was the reason the Angels lost that playoff series to the Os either.
The Os had beaten up the Angels during the regular season except the game Jim Barr pitched. For some reason, Barr didn’t pitch at all during the playoffs and Dave Frost put both games he pitched in out of reach.
Jim Barr didn’t pitch in 79 ALDS due to a hand injury. He got into a argument with Angel Radio Broadcaster at the time, Don Drysdale on the flight back to California from Baltimore, Drysdale insisted he well enough to pitch.
Drysdale was a tad hardcore.
The had injury was slugging a poster that read flush the royals, and Drysdale, if my memory serves, was very vocal about
Barr’s stupidity. Back then we had announcers that reported, today they are just shills for management.
The Angels lost in 79 for a lot of reasons, but the biggest, as it was in 82 and 86, was the bullpen. And the Angels won in 2002 because of the bullpen. It’s amazing how often bullpens can make or break seasons.
That was admittedly before my time. I was in diapers back then.
But like you said that 1979 team had a few guys with career years and Frost was one of them.
I was a new driver in 1979. The Angels were one of the biggest investors in veterans and free agency and tried to buy a winner. Signing with California was like a curse. Most free agents became injured or in the case of Lyman Bostock, murdered. In 79, it came together and many had career years. Along with Dave Frost, Don Baylor was MVP. Oft injured Bobby Grich, Dan Ford, Brian Downing and upcoming Carney Lansford had career years. Bert Campaneris shared SS with Dickie Thon and Willie Mays Aikens garnered attention when Rod Carew was out. I only remember there was some controversy with Jim Barr not playing in the playoffs but not the details. It was 1979 after all.
RIP
Meanwhile, David Forst, GM of Athletics lives on.
The Forsts send their regards.
My dad and I met him during a tour of Angels Stadium in 2008. Prayers for the family.
RIP
R.I.P Frost and be wishes to his family.
On the baseball side, looked like a good trade for the Angels, Frost and Downing, for Bobby Bonds. As good as Bonds was for a couple more years, it appears there was more value with Frost and Downing over the years.
This article gave me the name I had forgotten, of the player who started the PED era: Brian Downing and his magic powder which he readily gave to teammates who wanted to be as big and strong as he had become.
Downing would become an Angels HOF. I’ll never forget his retirement. I was at the game against Texas at the Big A near the end of the season and he hit a single. When he touched first base the PA announcer said with that hit Brian Downing has just retired. He then walked to the dugout with an ovation and that was it. Always thought that was a great way to go and in front of the hometown Angels fans.
I was at that game too. Like you said he got a hit, When he got to 1st base made a U turn to the dugout.
I saw that game. I cried. He was my fave player. I think I was 14 or something.
I was a big fan of his, too. I wasn’t very happy when the Sox traded him. I always liked him as a player and never held the PED thing against him. He had a big container that was on a shelf over his locker. A teammate noticed Downing took some every day and asked what it was. I don’t remember what Downing said, but soon several of his teammates began taking the magic powder. As we know, it only escalated from there.
I was in San Diego in the late 90s, and a few Padres were suspected of boatloading the PEDs, led by Ken Caminiti. Thing is, steroids are legal in Mexico. You can drive across the border, take them, and just drive back. Since the MLBPA couldn’t/wouldn’t test at the time, not a damn thing anyone could do. Players wore tee shirts that said “I’d rather bench 300 than hit .300″… Which I thought was stupid,
Dude is dude 🙁
Dude!
Loved the way he took Nixon on in that series of interviews in 1977.
Man, that was the week that was!
Terry Smith and Mark Langston are far far better than anyone the Yankees employ.
Should the Angels take a flier on Bumgarner?
Wow. O’Hoppe just went down. Hope he’s okay. Strange. Shoulder issues?