Gene "Augie" Freese

Gene "Augie" Freese passed away on Tuesday June 19th, 2013. Gene was a well known sports personality in New Orleans. Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, Gene came to New Orleans pursuing a career in pro baseball. After an impressive stint with the New Orleans Pelicans minor league franchise, he went on to have a successful career in major league baseball for 12 years. This included making it to the World Series in 1961 as the starting third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds, who lost to the fabled 1961 NY Yankee team that included Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. During the rest of his major league career, he played with the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros. After retiring as a player, Gene managed the AA minor league Shreveport Captains for two years before retiring from baseball. He is a member of the Diamond Club Hall of Fame and the New Orleans Professional Baseball Hall of Fame. Gene raised his family in the New Orleans area. He is well known and was much loved in the community. He had a wide circle of close and loyal friends. Gene owned and operated the Basin Lounge sports tavern for many years, sharing his wisdom with many patrons and good friends. He had a marvelous sense of humor and quick wit, which he retained until the last day. He was always there for his children and grandchildren when they needed help. He is greatly missed. Gene is survived by his wife Mary, sons; Tim (Daphne) and Terry (Gayle), daughter Amy Freese-Carter (Daniel); their mother Barbara Pennington, grandchildren; Allison Goodrum (William), Jennifer Lyons (Chance), Chelsea, Erin, Emily, Devon, Colt, Chase and great-grandchildren Luke and Cayden.