Biography
Woodrow Thompson Fryman (born April 15, 1940 in Ewing, Kentucky), known as the “Fleming Flame,” is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1967 to 1983 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago Cubs. A two-time National League All-Star in 1968 and 1976, Fryman spent 18 years in the Majors as a quality left-hander who threw 4 one-hitters in his career. As a rookie with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1966, he hurled 3 consecutive shutouts. After being claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers on August 2, 1972, Fryman had an outstanding split season for the Billy Martin-managed team; in 14 starts he went 10-3 with a 2.06 ERA. His .769 win percentage was tops in the American League in 1972, and his ERA+ of 154 is one of the highest in Detroit franchise history. (See Detroit Tigers award winners and league leaders) Fryman's pitching during the pennant drive helped the Tigers edge the Boston Red Sox by half a game to capture the American League East division championship. Unfortunately, Fryman's hot pitching did not continue into the post-season as he lost both games he started in the 1972 American League Championship Series. Fryman converted from a starter into a reliever during the later part of his career. Fryman finished out his career with the Montreal Expos in 1983 at age 43. Fryman recalled the end of his pitching career as follows: “It was early in the 1983 season and my arm just popped and I couldn't even raise it." Fryman pitched his final game on July 28, 1983. In 2005, Fryman was inducted into the Kentucky sports hall of fame. Fryman lives in Ewing, Kentucky. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodie_Fryman
