Travis Fryman was fun to watch as a Detroit Tiger and a Cleveland Indian.  The Travis Fryman coaching the Mahoning Valley Scrappers is patient, clever, and a great motivator.  Having followed the Scrappers very closely this season, I can really respect the job that Fryman does.  Fryman took a few minutes from his hectic schedule to talk about anything and everything with me.

The name Squeaky Parker triggered a smile from Fryman’s face.  Parker was someone who helped Fryman’s development as a hitter.  “When I first signed, I struggled with the bat.  Squeaky Parker told me he would work with me by throwing me batting practice all Winter.  In return he wanted a new car when I signed my first big contract”, chuckled Fryman.  The Parker promise lasted for three years.  Parker would throw pitches to Fryman all Winter for three seasons to make him a better hitter.  The catch was that the type of car he would ask for when Fryman got that first big contract was upgraded and a little more luxurious each year.  When Fryman finally got that big contract, he delivered on his end of the deal and parked the new vehicle in Parker’s garage as a Christmas present.  That story told me some stuff about Fryman that I suspected but wasn’t sure about.  He is as honest and loyal as they come.  Without hesitation, here is my interview with Travis Fryman.

Paneech:  Tell me about a day in the life of Travis Fryman.

Fryman:  Well, when we are on a homestand, there is a pretty hectic and normal pattern to my day.  I usually get up at about nine and have my morning coffee on the deck.  I then start to play around with the starting lineups for that night’s game.  I make a couple of different starting lineups because sometimes the pitching gets switched up, so I want to be ready.  I spend time with my wife and kids.  We usually go to eat a good lunch and share some valuable family time at around noon.  I usually get here to the ballpark at around 1:30 or 2:00 and start working on other things.  We stretch and take batting practice, then we have a little downtime before the game.  At 7:00 we hit the field to play the game.  After the game is over, I talk to you, and then I can head home.

Paneech:  I know your three sons are in attendance showing the importance of family to you.  How important is it that you coach a short-season team compared to going for eight straight months?

Fryman:  Very important.  I feel baseball has given me plenty and I want to give some back.  We live in a house for the Summer not far from here and there is a good balance between the important time I spend with my family and the amount of time required to coach here.  The shorter season has enough flexibility to allow me more quality time with my family.

Paneech:  Who can we expect to see in an Indians uniform out of this year’s Scrapper team?

Fryman:  Well, I think if all of them didn’t have a shot, they wouldn’t be here.  I see good in all of these guys.  There is such a big learning curve in such a short period of time.  Jordan Henry is probably the best baserunner I have ever coached here, he also hits good deeper into a count. 

Paneech:  Is winning more important than individual statistics at this level?

Fryman:  Actually, player development is the most important thing at this level.  Winning games is always a good thing, but our job is to make these guys better players so that the Indians can win games, which is more important than us winning games here.  Individual statistics don’t always tell the story on how a player is doing.  To me, the development is the most important thing at this level.

Paneech:  I have learned by watching you that you don’t expect these guys to do everything right.  Where is the line between “He is still learning”, and “He should make that play”?

Fryman:  Again, they are learning things every day.  If a player makes the same mistakes over and over and over again, then it is our job as a coaching staff to work with that player to correct the problem.  Understanding that this is A-level baseball helps me get through mistakes a little easier.  Expectations at this level are not what they would be at higher levels because development is the key.

Paneech:  Tell me your thoughts on steroids in baseball and whether or not they exist at this level.

Fryman:  The steroid issues that Major League Baseball are dealing with are being monitored better than they were.  There was a year when Cal Ripken [Jr.] and I were the only two shortstops to hit 20 HR and have 90+ RBI.  Ten years later you see the numbers for shortstops and everyone is hitting at least that many home runs and you start to realize that there is a problem.  I don’t think there are problems at this level.  There are a bunch of safeguards in place to make sure that it doesn’t happen and I feel that baseball is doing better with the problem.

Paneech:  Did getting traded from Detroit to Arizona in 1997 come as a shock?

Fryman:  Yes it did.  I was told by Detroit that I would be offered something to stay but it never materialized.  They [Detroit] brought in Cecil Fielder as a high-dollar free agent and didn’t want to have to pay too many guys large amounts of money.  I got a call out of the blue that said I was traded to Arizona, and then I got another call two weeks later out of the blue that said I was traded to Cleveland.

One Word Answers

Favorite Meal Of The Day:  Lunch

Favorite Music:  Country

Favorite Area Restaurant:  Yoder’s Amish Restaurant

Player You Got To Be Close With:  Paul Shuey

What Do You Watch On TV:  Fox News

Who Was Your Favorite Player Growing Up:  Dave Concepcion

I Love What I’m Doing -or- I Need To Move Up:  I Love What I’m Doing

Do You Play Video Games?  No

In conclusion, Travis Fryman has his life prioritized the way he wants it.  He is giving back to the game of baseball and able to spend quality time with his family.  The players know when it is time to work, and when it is OK to kick back and have a laugh.  He takes his position as a developmental league manager to heart and wishes nothing but the best for every player he has.

Fryman is a class act and the Mahoning Valley is lucky to have him here.  I hope he stays for many years because his mission is so well-spelled out.  He is a refreshing alternative to the arrogant athletes on display in so many sports.  He stays grounded and will make these guys better players, but more importantly, better people.

2 Responses to “Mahoning Valley Scrappers Profile: Manager Travis Fryman”