For nearly 40 years from his hometown of Clearwater, Fla., to major league beats in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Arlington, Texas, Gerry Fraley formed relationships with players, coaches, scouts, executives, and umpires that made him one of the most trusted voices in the industry. “Frales,” who died in 2019 at the age of 64, covered the Phillies, Braves and Rangers and was a pioneer in the advent of daily notebooks as part of beat coverage.
He also was a national baseball writer at the Dallas Morning News, where he spent nearly 25 years as beat writer and columnist. During that time, Gerry eventually took on the role of “Super General Assignment Reporter” that was created especially for him because he was adept at assisting on other beats, including football, basketball, and auto racing. As former President (and former Texas Rangers owner) George W. Bush noted, “Gerry was an accomplished writer and a keen observer of many sports. It always seemed to me that baseball was his real passion, thereby establishing a kinship and a lasting friendship.”
Never one to seek accolades or honors, Fraley nevertheless was a Texas Headliner Award winner for his career coverage of Nolan Ryan. While at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution covering the Braves, Gerry served as national BBWAA president in 1987.
