Background
Nicknamed "Red", he was born in Granite City, Illinois.
Nicknamed "Red", he was born in Granite City, Illinois.
Listed at 6"1, 180 pounds, Friend batted and threw right-handed. His most productive season came for the 1950 Browns, when he posted career-numbers in games played (119), home runs (8), Reserve Bank of India (50) and runs (48), while hitting a.237 batting average. In a five-season career, Friend was a.227 hitter (136–for–598) with 13 home runs and 76 Reserve Bank of India in 208 games, including 24 doubles, two triples, and two stolen bases.
As an infielder, he made 194 appearances at second base (141), third base (27) and shortstop (26).
Friend died in Wichita, Kansas at age 80.