Frank Green

"Pepe"

(1989-1996)

Inaugural Inductee: June 2000

Frank Deas Green, Jr. came to The Beat with Wilfred Spoon in spring 1989 to cap off the Y&R infusion that had begun with Willie Doyle, Tim Hesselgren, Mark "MSG" St.Georges and me the previous year. The early Beat had a certain ad league feeling to go with other elements of the team's eclectic character in its transformation from a pickup volleyball squad (Gary "Offline" Rothlein was also an ad guy). Otherwise known as Pepe, a nickname from his native New York City, Frank replaced Roy Nelson at catcher in that first spring after Roy's knees gave out. Frank and Denny O'Brien formed the backbone of The Beat defense from 1989-96.

By the summer of 1990, Frank had also settled into the middle of the Beat lineup and was an impact hitter on the first 3 Beat division championship teams. A key run producer, he was third on the team in RBIs with 18 in 1991 behind Palmer and Danny Carroll, second in RBIs (16) and hits (21) behind Palmer in 1994 and led the DD title team in 1995 with 23 RBIs.

But most importantly, Frank worked for 8 years as OB's personal psychologist, co-strategist and partner coaxing the best performances out of the mystical moundsman. After stepping up to give the team a much needed tongue-lashing in the midst of being shut out by Pat O'Shea's in the 1994 summer season, Frank occupied a position that had been vacant since the departure of team founder Jim Harvey, that of the motivational leader. The Beat was blanked that day, but thanks to Frank's inspiration, the team bounced back the following week with its first shutout ever, a 6-0 whitewash of the U.S. Park Police.

Frank was a catalyst of the 1994 Beat resurgence after the humiliating drop to D the previous year. Not only did Frank lead with his bat, glove and character in that championship season and successful re-entry into DD, but with his recruitment of roommate Donnell 'Big Daddy" Moody, he bequeathed us a prodigious cleanup hitter and offensive leader for the next decade.

Frank suffered through injuries that limited his production in 1992 and 1993, but he re-dedicated himself to finding his stroke by practicing his swing all during the winter of 1993 in his and Donnell’s living room on Clyde Street in San Francisco down the street from what is now Pac Bell Park. I spent a lot of time there in those days. Because of this meticulous preparation, I can tell you it was no coincidence that 1994 was Pepe's Brass Beat Season, which was why I awarded it to him. Frank's leadership as well as his example and talent are why he is in the Beat Hall of Fame.

Career stats and player cards