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{{Infobox MLB player {{short description|American baseball player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
| name = Ryan Freel
{{Infobox baseball biography
| image = Ryan Freel on July 27, 2009.jpg
| width = 220 | name = Ryan Freel
| team = Kansas City Royals | image = Ryan Freel on July 27, 2009.jpg
| caption = Freel with the Kansas City Royals
| number = 26
| position = Utility player | position = ]
| birthdate = {{birth date and age|1976|3|8}} | birth_date = {{birth date|1976|3|8}}
| birthplace = {{city-state|Jacksonville|Florida}} | birth_place = ], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2012|12|22|1976|3|8}}
| bats = Right
| death_place = Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
| throws = Right
| debutdate = April 4 | bats = Right
| debutyear = 2001 | throws = Right
|debutleague = MLB
| debutteam = Toronto Blue Jays
| statyear = July 17, 2009 | debutdate = April 4
| debutyear = 2001
| stat1label = ]
| debutteam = Toronto Blue Jays
| stat1value = .269
|finalleague = MLB
| stat2label = ]s
| stat2value = 22 | finaldate = August 4
| finalyear = 2009
| stat3label = ]
| finalteam = Kansas City Royals
| stat3value = 121
|statleague = MLB
| stat4label = ]s
| stat1label = ]
| stat4value = 143
| stat1value = .268
| teams = <nowiki></nowiki>
| stat2label = ]s
*] ({{by|2001}})
| stat2value = 22
*] ({{by|2003}}-{{by|2008}})
| stat3label = ]
*] ({{by|2009}})
| stat3value = 122
*] ({{by|2009}})
| stat4label = ]s
*] ({{by|2009}})
| stat4value = 143
| teams =
* ] ({{mlby|2001}})
* ] ({{mlby|2003}}–{{mlby|2008}})
* ] ({{mlby|2009}})
* ] ({{mlby|2009}})
* ] ({{mlby|2009}})
}} }}
'''Ryan Paul Freel''' (March 8, 1976 – December 22, 2012) was an American ] player. A ], Freel played ], ], and all three ] positions in ] for the ], ], ], ] and ] between 2001 and 2009.
] on second base in {{mlby|2007}}.]]
'''Ryan Paul Freel''' (born March 8, 1976 in ]) is a ] ] for the ]. Freel plays ], ], and all three ] positions.


On December 22, 2012, Freel committed suicide, and was subsequently the first MLB player to be diagnosed with ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstcoastnews.com/topstories/article/288484/483/Former-Big-Leaguer-from-Jax-Ryan-Freel-Dead-at-36 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20121224225708/http%3A//www.firstcoastnews.com/topstories/article/288484/483/Former%2DBig%2DLeaguer%2Dfrom%2DJax%2DRyan%2DFreel%2DDead%2Dat%2D36 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 24, 2012 |title=Ryan Freel, former MLB player from Jacksonville, commits suicide |publisher=Firstcoastnews.com |accessdate=December 23, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="CNN1213">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/15/health/baseball-ryan-freel-cte-suicide/index.html?hpt=hp_t1|title=First Major League Baseball player diagnosed with CTE|last=Smith|first=Stephanie|author2=Dan Moriarty |date=December 15, 2013|publisher=]|accessdate=December 16, 2013}}</ref>
==MLB career==
Freel attended Tallahassee Community College and was selected by the ] in the 13th round of the 1994 amateur entry draft, but did not sign. A year later, he was drafted by the ] in the 10th round of the 1995 amateur draft. Freel played 6 seasons in the Toronto minor league system before making his Major League debut on ], ]. He only played in 9 games for the Blue Jays in his rookie year, hitting .273 with 0 ], 3 ] and 2 ]s. After the season was over, Freel was granted free agency and signed with the ].


==Career==
Freel played the entire ] season in the minor leagues with the ], the Triple-A affiliate of the Devil Rays. He hit .261 with 8 home runs, 48 RBI, and 37 steals. On ], ], he signed with the ] as a free agent.
Freel attended ] and was selected by the ] in the 13th round of the 1994 amateur entry draft, but did not sign. A year later, he was drafted by the ] in the 10th round of the 1995 amateur draft. From 1998 to 2002, Freel played in the Venezuelan Baseball League with Cardenales de Lara, becoming Champions in 2001. Freel played 6 seasons in the Toronto minor league system before making his Major League debut on April 4, 2001. He only played in 9 games for the Blue Jays in his rookie year, hitting .273 with 0 ]s, 3 ] and 2 ]s. After the season was over, Freel was granted free agency and signed with the ].


] on second base in 2007]]
In five seasons with the Reds, Freel hit .270 with 22 home runs, 104 runs batted in, and 134 stolen bases. His best season for the Reds was in ], when he hit .277 with 3 home runs, 28 RBI, 37 stolen bases, and 74 runs scored in 143 games. In 2007, Freel signed a two-year, $3 million contract extension with the Reds.
Freel played the entire ] in the minor leagues with the ], the Triple-A affiliate of the Devil Rays. He hit .261 with 8 home runs, 48 RBI, and 37 steals. On November 18, 2002, he signed with the ] as a free agent.


On July 27, 2005, Freel stole five bases in one game, becoming the first MLB player to do so since the 2000 season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_stba.shtml | title=MLB Stolen Bases Records &#124; Baseball Almanac }}</ref>
On December 9, 2008, Freel was traded along with two minor leaguers to the ] for ] ].<ref> </ref> On May 8, 2009, Freel was traded once again, this time to the ] for outfielder ] and cash considerations. On July 2, 2009, Freel was designated for assignment to create roster space for the newly acquired ]. On July 6, 2009, Freel and cash was traded to the ] for a player to be named later.


In five seasons with the Reds, Freel hit .270 with 22 home runs, 104 runs batted in, and 134 stolen bases. His best season for the Reds was in 2004, when he hit .277 with 3 home runs, 28 RBI, 37 stolen bases, and 74 runs scored in 143 games. In 2007, Freel signed a two-year, $3 million contract extension with the Reds.
==Farney==

Freel gained some notoriety in August of ] when '']'' reported that Freel talks to an imaginary voice in his head named Farney.<ref></ref> Said Freel: "He's a little guy who lives in my head who talks to me and I talk to him. That little midget in my head said, 'That was a great catch, Ryan,' I said, 'Hey, Farney, I don't know if that was you who really caught that ball, but that was pretty good if it was.' Everybody thinks I talk to myself, so I tell 'em I'm talking to Farney."<ref></ref> Freel later said that Farney's name arose from a conversation with Reds trainer Mark Mann: "He actually made a comment like, 'How are the voices in your head?' We'd play around and finally this year he said, 'What's the guy's name?' I said, 'Let's call him Farney.' So now everybody's like, 'Run, Farney, run' or 'Let Farney hit today. You're not hitting very well.'"<ref></ref>
On December 9, 2008, Freel was traded along with two minor leaguers including ] to the ] for ] ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081209&content_id=3708984&vkey=pr_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519080348/http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081209&content_id=3708984&vkey=pr_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 19, 2009 |title=Orioles acquire three players from Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Ramon Hernandez |publisher=Baltimore.orioles.mlb.com |date=June 19, 2012 |accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> On May 8, 2009, Freel was traded once again, this time to the ] for outfielder ] and cash considerations. On July 2, 2009, Freel was designated for assignment to create roster space for the newly acquired ]. On July 6, 2009, Freel was dealt accompanied by cash considerations to the ] for a player to be named later.

On August 5, 2009, Freel was designated for assignment by the Kansas City Royals. He was released on August 13, 2009. On August 28, 2009, Freel signed a minor league deal with the ]. He was released 2 days later. In April 2010, Freel signed with the independent ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.mycentraljersey.com/patriots/2010/04/09/ryan-freel-brings-major-league-resume-to-patriots/ |title=Ryan Freel brings major-league effort, resume to Patriots |publisher=Blogs.mycentraljersey.com |date=April 9, 2010 |accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> but retired five weeks later on May 17, 2010.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2010/05/super-utilityman-ryan-freel-retires/1 |last=Dodd |first=Mike |title="Super-utilityman" Ryan Freel retires |work=USA Today |date=May 18, 2010 |accessdate=January 16, 2016}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Freel was very spiritual and religious. He believed all his fans deserved respect and would sign all cards and mementos presented to him.

During his stay with the Reds, he was instrumental in helping develop their famous Reds Rookie Success League. He served as the Players Ambassador to that Rookie League for the Reds. The Reds recognized Ryan in July 2013 by annually awarding the "Ryan Freel Heart and Hustle Award" to a member of each league.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102171356/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/community/index.jsp |date=2014-01-02 }}</ref>

Post retirement, Freel founded Big League Development Baseball Inc (BLD)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bldbaseball.com/about.html |title=About &#124; BLD Baseball &#124; Ryan Freel &#124; Big League Development |website=www.bldbaseball.com |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131219211132/http://www.bldbaseball.com/about.html |archive-date=19 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and went on to coach the 11U team to Cooperstown. All teams under his management 9U to 11U had winning seasons.


==Injuries== ==Injuries==
On ], ], Freel was injured in a game against the ] when chasing a deep drive to right-center field. Freel and right fielder ] collided, resulting in Freel's head and neck hitting Hopper and finally the ]. He was transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was reported to be coherent with feeling in his extremities. Freel began working out on June 15, about 2 weeks after the collision. He was briefly sent to the AAA ] for rehabilitation. Freel began getting random headaches and pains in his head, which delayed his return for another 2 weeks. On July 3, 2007, 1 month and 5 days after the accident, Freel returned to play for the Cincinnati Reds and was healthy until being placed on the 15-day DL with torn cartilage in his right knee on August 7. On May 28, 2007, Freel was injured in a game against the ] when chasing a deep drive to right-center field. Freel and right fielder ] collided, resulting in Freel's head and neck hitting Hopper and finally the ]. He was transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was reported to be coherent with feeling in his extremities. Freel began working out on June 15, about 2 weeks after the collision. He was briefly sent to the AAA ] for rehabilitation. Freel began getting random headaches and pains in his head, which delayed his return for another 2 weeks. On July 3, 2007, 1 month and 5 days after the accident, Freel returned to play for the Cincinnati Reds and was healthy until being placed on the 15-day DL with torn ] in his right knee on August 7.


In 2009 with the Baltimore Orioles, he was hit by a pickoff throw in the head while on 2nd base. He was put on the Disabled List after the injury. In 2009 with the Baltimore Orioles, he was hit in the head by a pickoff throw while on second base. He was put on the disabled list after the injury,<ref name=Collision>{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Sheldon |title=Freel exits on stretcher after collision |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070528&content_id=1990685&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |work=MLB.com |date=May 28, 2007 |accessdate=May 28, 2007}}</ref> and officially retired a year later.
<ref name=Collision>{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Sheldon |title=Freel exits on stretcher after collision |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070528&content_id=1990685&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |work=MLB.com |date=] |accessdate=2007-05-28}}</ref>


==Off-the-field issues== ==Off-the-field issues==
Freel has twice been arrested for ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060108&content_id=1292711&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin|title=Freel arrested for disorderly intoxication|accessdate=2008-09-07 |work=] |publisher= |date= }}</ref> He paid a fine after the first incident, and charges were dropped for the second.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060124&content_id=1300036&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin|title=Notes: Beattie eyeing GM position|accessdate=2008-09-07 |work=] |publisher= |date= }}</ref> Freel was twice arrested, once for ] and the other for disorderly intoxication.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060108&content_id=1292711&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519034037/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060108&content_id=1292711&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 19, 2009|title=Freel arrested for disorderly intoxication|accessdate=September 7, 2008 |work=] |publisher= |date= }}</ref> He paid a fine after the first incident, and charges were dropped for the second.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060124&content_id=1300036&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519034042/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060124&content_id=1300036&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 19, 2009|title=Notes: Beattie eyeing GM position|accessdate=September 7, 2008 |work=] |publisher= |date= }}</ref>


==Scouting report== ===Farney===
Freel gained some notoriety in August 2006 when '']'' reported that Freel talked to an imaginary voice in his head named Farney.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ratto |first=Ray |url=http://sportsline.com/columns/story/9596332 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719013706/http://sportsline.com/columns/story/9596332 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |title=Sportsline.com |publisher=Sportsline.com |accessdate=December 23, 2012 }}</ref> Said Freel: "He's a little guy who lives in my head who talks to me and I talk to him. That little midget in my head said, 'That was a great catch, Ryan,' I said, 'Hey, Farney, I don't know if that was you who really caught that ball, but that was pretty good if it was.' Everybody thinks I talk to myself, so I tell 'em I'm talking to Farney."<ref>{{cite web|last=Jenkins |first=Chris |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/baseball/20060813-9999-1s13bbhorn.html |title=> Sports - With Freel, Reds have four in outfield |publisher=SignOnSanDiego.com |date=August 13, 2006 |accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> Freel later said that Farney's name arose from a conversation with Reds trainer Mark Mann: "He actually made a comment like, 'How are the voices in your head?' We'd play around and finally this year he said, 'What's the guy's name?' I said, 'Let's call him Farney.' So now everybody's like, 'Run, Farney, run' or 'Let Farney hit today. You're not hitting very well.'"<ref>{{cite web |last=Erhardt |first=John |url=http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=5417&sessionstatus=notloggedin&mode=login |title=Articles &#124; The Week In Quotes: August 7–13 |publisher=Baseball Prospectus |date=August 14, 2006 |accessdate=December 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521105803/http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=5417&sessionstatus=notloggedin&mode=login |archivedate=May 21, 2011 }}</ref>
Freel is known for versatility in the field, playing all three outfield positions, second base, and third base; Freel is also known for making many ] plays. He is a threat on the basepaths, once totaling 110 stolen bases over a three-year period (37 in 2004, 36 in 2005, and 37 in 2006). He does not hit for power (hitting only 22 home runs in his career) but does get on base, with a career .358 on-base percentage, and has scored 278 runs in 505 career games.


==References== == Death ==

{{reflist}}
On December 22, 2012, Freel died at his home in ], as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstcoastnews.com/topstories/article/288484/483/Former-Big-Leaguer-from-Jax-Ryan-Freel-Dead-at-36/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123021643/http://www.firstcoastnews.com/topstories/article/288484/483/Former-Big-Leaguer-from-Jax-Ryan-Freel-Dead-at-36/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 23, 2013 |title=Freel commits suicide |publisher=Firstcoastnews.com |accessdate=December 23, 2012 }}</ref> After his death, Freel's family donated his brain to ] for research into ] (CTE), a degenerative neurological condition associated with repeated head impacts that can only be conclusively diagnosed post-mortem.<ref> - When the game is gone: Freel's final days, April 18, 2013</ref> In December 2013, a post-mortem examination by the ] showed that he had had Stage II CTE,<ref name=Freel>{{cite web|last=Snyder|first=Matt|title=Report: Ryan Freel was suffering from CTE at time of death|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24376239/report-ryan-freel-was-suffering-from-cte-at-time-of-death|publisher=CBSSports.com|accessdate=December 15, 2013}}</ref> making him the first MLB player to have been diagnosed with such a condition.<ref name="CNN1213"/> Freel was also diagnosed with various mental illnesses such as ], ], ], ], and ]. Additional mental illnesses are consistent with many athletes who also had CTE once their playing careers are finished.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/magazine/when-the-game-is-gone/|title=When the game is gone: Freel's final days - Sportsnet.ca|publisher=}}</ref>

== References ==

{{Reflist|90em}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{commonscat}}
{{baseballstats |mlb=150472 |espn=4629 |br=f/freelry01 |fangraphs=1207 |cube=F/ryan-freel}} {{baseballstats |mlb=150472 |espn=4629 |br=f/freelry01 | fangraphs=1207|brm=freel-001rya |retro=F/Pfreer001}}


{{Lifetime|1976||Freel, Ryan}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Freel, Ryan}}
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Latest revision as of 18:24, 6 October 2024

American baseball player

Baseball player
Ryan Freel
Freel with the Kansas City Royals
Utility player
Born: (1976-03-08)March 8, 1976
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Died: December 22, 2012(2012-12-22) (aged 36)
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Batted: RightThrew: Right
MLB debut
April 4, 2001, for the Toronto Blue Jays
Last MLB appearance
August 4, 2009, for the Kansas City Royals
MLB statistics
Batting average.268
Home runs22
Runs batted in122
Stolen bases143
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Ryan Paul Freel (March 8, 1976 – December 22, 2012) was an American professional baseball player. A utility player, Freel played second base, third base, and all three outfield positions in Major League Baseball for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays between 2001 and 2009.

On December 22, 2012, Freel committed suicide, and was subsequently the first MLB player to be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Career

Freel attended Tallahassee Community College and was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round of the 1994 amateur entry draft, but did not sign. A year later, he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 10th round of the 1995 amateur draft. From 1998 to 2002, Freel played in the Venezuelan Baseball League with Cardenales de Lara, becoming Champions in 2001. Freel played 6 seasons in the Toronto minor league system before making his Major League debut on April 4, 2001. He only played in 9 games for the Blue Jays in his rookie year, hitting .273 with 0 home runs, 3 RBI and 2 stolen bases. After the season was over, Freel was granted free agency and signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Freel of the Cincinnati Reds on second base in 2007

Freel played the entire 2002 season in the minor leagues with the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Devil Rays. He hit .261 with 8 home runs, 48 RBI, and 37 steals. On November 18, 2002, he signed with the Cincinnati Reds as a free agent.

On July 27, 2005, Freel stole five bases in one game, becoming the first MLB player to do so since the 2000 season.

In five seasons with the Reds, Freel hit .270 with 22 home runs, 104 runs batted in, and 134 stolen bases. His best season for the Reds was in 2004, when he hit .277 with 3 home runs, 28 RBI, 37 stolen bases, and 74 runs scored in 143 games. In 2007, Freel signed a two-year, $3 million contract extension with the Reds.

On December 9, 2008, Freel was traded along with two minor leaguers including Justin Turner to the Baltimore Orioles for catcher Ramón Hernández. On May 8, 2009, Freel was traded once again, this time to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Joey Gathright and cash considerations. On July 2, 2009, Freel was designated for assignment to create roster space for the newly acquired Jeff Baker. On July 6, 2009, Freel was dealt accompanied by cash considerations to the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named later.

On August 5, 2009, Freel was designated for assignment by the Kansas City Royals. He was released on August 13, 2009. On August 28, 2009, Freel signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers. He was released 2 days later. In April 2010, Freel signed with the independent Somerset Patriots, but retired five weeks later on May 17, 2010.

Personal life

Freel was very spiritual and religious. He believed all his fans deserved respect and would sign all cards and mementos presented to him.

During his stay with the Reds, he was instrumental in helping develop their famous Reds Rookie Success League. He served as the Players Ambassador to that Rookie League for the Reds. The Reds recognized Ryan in July 2013 by annually awarding the "Ryan Freel Heart and Hustle Award" to a member of each league.

Post retirement, Freel founded Big League Development Baseball Inc (BLD) and went on to coach the 11U team to Cooperstown. All teams under his management 9U to 11U had winning seasons.

Injuries

On May 28, 2007, Freel was injured in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates when chasing a deep drive to right-center field. Freel and right fielder Norris Hopper collided, resulting in Freel's head and neck hitting Hopper and finally the warning track. He was transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was reported to be coherent with feeling in his extremities. Freel began working out on June 15, about 2 weeks after the collision. He was briefly sent to the AAA Louisville Bats for rehabilitation. Freel began getting random headaches and pains in his head, which delayed his return for another 2 weeks. On July 3, 2007, 1 month and 5 days after the accident, Freel returned to play for the Cincinnati Reds and was healthy until being placed on the 15-day DL with torn cartilage in his right knee on August 7.

In 2009 with the Baltimore Orioles, he was hit in the head by a pickoff throw while on second base. He was put on the disabled list after the injury, and officially retired a year later.

Off-the-field issues

Freel was twice arrested, once for driving under the influence and the other for disorderly intoxication. He paid a fine after the first incident, and charges were dropped for the second.

Farney

Freel gained some notoriety in August 2006 when The Dayton Daily News reported that Freel talked to an imaginary voice in his head named Farney. Said Freel: "He's a little guy who lives in my head who talks to me and I talk to him. That little midget in my head said, 'That was a great catch, Ryan,' I said, 'Hey, Farney, I don't know if that was you who really caught that ball, but that was pretty good if it was.' Everybody thinks I talk to myself, so I tell 'em I'm talking to Farney." Freel later said that Farney's name arose from a conversation with Reds trainer Mark Mann: "He actually made a comment like, 'How are the voices in your head?' We'd play around and finally this year he said, 'What's the guy's name?' I said, 'Let's call him Farney.' So now everybody's like, 'Run, Farney, run' or 'Let Farney hit today. You're not hitting very well.'"

Death

On December 22, 2012, Freel died at his home in Jacksonville, Florida, as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. After his death, Freel's family donated his brain to Boston University for research into chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative neurological condition associated with repeated head impacts that can only be conclusively diagnosed post-mortem. In December 2013, a post-mortem examination by the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy showed that he had had Stage II CTE, making him the first MLB player to have been diagnosed with such a condition. Freel was also diagnosed with various mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, adult ADHD, depression, impulse control disorder, and anxiety. Additional mental illnesses are consistent with many athletes who also had CTE once their playing careers are finished.

References

  1. "Ryan Freel, former MLB player from Jacksonville, commits suicide". Firstcoastnews.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  2. ^ Smith, Stephanie; Dan Moriarty (December 15, 2013). "First Major League Baseball player diagnosed with CTE". CNN. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  3. "MLB Stolen Bases Records | Baseball Almanac".
  4. "Orioles acquire three players from Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Ramon Hernandez". Baltimore.orioles.mlb.com. June 19, 2012. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  5. "Ryan Freel brings major-league effort, resume to Patriots". Blogs.mycentraljersey.com. April 9, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  6. Dodd, Mike (May 18, 2010). ""Super-utilityman" Ryan Freel retires". USA Today. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  7. mlb.com Archived 2014-01-02 at the Wayback Machine
  8. "About | BLD Baseball | Ryan Freel | Big League Development". www.bldbaseball.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  9. Sheldon, Mark (May 28, 2007). "Freel exits on stretcher after collision". MLB.com. Retrieved May 28, 2007.
  10. "Freel arrested for disorderly intoxication". MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved September 7, 2008.
  11. "Notes: Beattie eyeing GM position". MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved September 7, 2008.
  12. Ratto, Ray. "Sportsline.com". Sportsline.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  13. Jenkins, Chris (August 13, 2006). "> Sports - With Freel, Reds have four in outfield". SignOnSanDiego.com. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  14. Erhardt, John (August 14, 2006). "Articles | The Week In Quotes: August 7–13". Baseball Prospectus. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  15. "Freel commits suicide". Firstcoastnews.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  16. Ryan Freel's family to donate his brain tissue for research - When the game is gone: Freel's final days, April 18, 2013
  17. Snyder, Matt. "Report: Ryan Freel was suffering from CTE at time of death". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  18. "When the game is gone: Freel's final days - Sportsnet.ca".

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