Frank Fanovich

From BR Bullpen

Frank Joseph Fanovich (Lefty)

Bats Left, Throws Left
Height 5' 11", Weight 180 lb.

Debut April 25, 1949
Final Game September 16, 1953
Born January 11, 1922 in New York, NY USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Before the 1946 season left-hander Frank Fanovich was signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Giants. "Lefty" would spend time with three clubs in '46 going 5-7 with a 3.36 ERA in 17 games for the Ogdensburg Maples of the class C Border League and going 1-1 in 3 games for the Danville Leafs of the Carolina League. He was also with the Trenton Giants for one outing with no decision.

In 1947 an unknown transaction would see Frank back in the Border League with the Watertown Athletics where the young left-hander won 16 and lost 3, leading the league in winning percentage at .842 and also was the leader in strikeouts with 182 and ERA with a 2.41. On September 27, 1947 the Cincinnati Reds took note and purchased Frank from Watertown.

The Reds optioned him to the IL Syracuse Chiefs in 1948, where he cooled off a bit to 9-13 with a 4.08 ERA but the Reds still thought enough of him to bring him to Crosley Field for the '49 season, where he was used primarily in relief, appearing in 29 games, going 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA.

Fanovich was selected off waivers on May 8, 1950 by the New York Giants from the Reds and was assigned to the AAA Minneapolis Millers where he went 8-5 with a 4.50 ERA. He would spend 1951 with the same club, go 7-12 for the year and the Philadelphia Athletics would purchase him from the Giants in February of 1952.

The 1952 year would see Frank winning the "Trifecta" again, playing with three different teams, the Ottawa A's, Savannah Indians and the Atlanta Crackers, having a combined record of 6-7 while appearing in 27 outings. In 1953 at age 31 Fanovich would spend the season with the Philadelphia Athletics going 0-3 in 26 appearances with a 5.55 ERA. "Lefty", in his two terms in the big leagues had lost all five of his decisions in 55 appearances and would not return for another look.

Late in the 1953 year Frank was traded by the Athletics with Joe Coleman to the Baltimore Orioles for Bob Cain. Frank would be with the IL Richmond Virginians in '54, go 5-10 with a 5.17 ERA and spend his last year in pro baseball in 1955 with the San Antonio Missions, winning 14 games and losing 11 with a 3.47 ERA. Frank had spent 10 active seasons in pro ball from 1946 through 1955, was 33 years old and decided it was time pursue other things.

After baseball Fanovich became one of the "Big Apples" finest as a member of the New York City Police Department. As of last notice he is now retired in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Minor League Career Pitching Statistics