1934 World Wide Gum Question

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Posted By: Andy Cook

#10 Bernie Friberg's team is listed as "Mission". The bio on the back discusses his recent major league experience with no clue to who "Mission" is. Can anyone help?
Thanks,
Andy

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Posted By: jay behrens

I think the San Diego team was called the Missions. A PCL expert could tel you.

Jay

Growing old is not optional, growing up is.

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Posted By: bob

I would guess they would be the Mission Reds of the PCL. Baseball reference lists his last year in MLB as 1933. In 1934 he was probably in the minors.

Bob

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Posted By: Andy Cook

If Mission were the PCL Missions, there ought to be a corresponding Zeenut, but there isn't. Does someone have PCL Missions stats, or was there a second team with that nickname?
Thanks,
Andy

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Posted By: Frank Wakefield

The Mission Reds of the Pacific Coast League. Originally, they were in the Mission District of San Francisco. When Friberg was there, the Mission Reds played in Seals Stadium as tenants of the Seals.

Friberg played 3b for the Mission team in 1933, hitting .272 in 69 games - 254 at bats; he played 17 games for the Boston Red Sox that year. That was his only year in the PCL, I believe. He played in the majors 14 years, playing every position. Was a .300 hitter 5 seasons.

I don't know where Friberg was in 1934. But Gabby Street was managing Mission in 1934, without Barney Frieberg's services.

Frank.

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Posted By: John Harrell

Andy,

There is also the San Antonio Missions of the Texas League, whose existence goes back that far. However, I believe that a previous reply has the right team. The 34 WWG set includes representatives from several different minor leagues, including the Southern League. Good to see you working on that set.

Bama

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Posted By: Mark Macrae

Barney Friberg was DEFINITELY playing with the Mission Reds of San Francisco (PCL) in 1933. The Missions received Friberg from the Boston Red Sox as part of a deal for Bill "Bucky" Walters on July 5,1933. Friberg played 69 games with the Missions that season, all at 3rd base, and carried a .272 average. Friberg was not happy playing in the PCL as it was far from his East Coast residence / family. He was released on March 16, 1934 after the Missions were unable to sell or trade him. Friberg finished his pro career in 1934, playing 4 games with Williamsport (NY-Penna League) and 78 games with Albany in the International League