Ryan Freel
Ryan Freel is another anonymous player you may have remembered pulling from one of the later Showdown packs but otherwise didn't have much use for. He also happens to be a notable person in baseball history for tragic reasons. While football gets all the attention when it comes to CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) Freel showed the world that it happens in other sports like baseball, becoming the first player diagnosed with it, but only after he had taken his own life.
Freel was drafted and ultimately debuted with the Blue Jays in 2001. After a few early season appearances, he'd spend the rest of the season in the minors and would gain free agency after the season. He didn't get an official Showdown card for his time, but we can always fix that now.
After spending all of 2002 in the Devil Rays farm system, Freel would catch on with the Reds in 2003. For that season and 2004, he would earn himself official Showdown cards, so we can skip to 2005...
By now, Freel is an established MLB player, just not one known for a lot of power, as his card above indicates. His A speed, meanwhile, makes up for it. Freel was a big base stealer for the Reds, even stealing 5 bases in one game on July 27.
People who only knew Freel from the Showdown cards will think of him only as an Outfielder, but he had quite a bit of utility during his Cincinnati days. Here in 2006 he set a career best for Home Runs with 8, as well as tied his career best for Stolen Bases with 37 (also done in 2004).
2007 saw the loss of power on his chart, and it also saw him take a major blow to the head. In a May game, he collided with another Outfielder Norris Hopper and had to be sent to the hospital. He was out a while and his rehab was delayed with constant headaches popping up. Sadly after the injury, he would never play a full season, and the 75 he played this year would be the last time he'd get in over 50.
Freel's final season with the Reds. His speed was still fast, but never being on the field meant he would only swipe 6 that year.
2009 would be Freels' final season and he'd begin it in Baltimore, where he'd have another scary head injury. While on 2nd Base, he would get nailed in the helmet by a pickoff throw and end up on the DL after.
In May, he'd get traded to the Cubs. He wouldn't find much use in his 2 months on the Northside. The pic makes him look shorter than he really is. Derrek Lee off to the left is 6'5".
The final stop in Ryan Freel's career was Kansas City where the Royals would purchase his contract. They'd release him about a month later. He'd sign with the Rangers but never see the majors again.
On December 22, 2012, Freel would commit suicide at only 36 years old. His family would donate his brain for study where it was found he had CTE as well as various mental illnesses. At a time when public scrutiny was on other sports for the effects of concussions on athletes, the revelations behind Freel's ending brought to light the same risks that baseball players endure as well.
