Frank Tanana Sr.
From BR Bullpen
Frank Richard Tanana
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 180 lb.
- High School St. Andrew High School (Detroit)
- Born 1933
- Died February 5, 1985 in Redford, MI USA
Frank Tanana Sr. was the father of Frank Tanana. He played five years in the minor leagues for the Cleveland Indians organization, hitting double-digit home runs all but one season. The outfielder debuted in 1952 with the Green Bay Bluejays and hit .289/~.406/.457. In 1953, Tanana was with Cleveland's #3 farm team, the Peoria Chiefs. He was second among Three-I League outfielders with 17 assists but also tied for third with 15 errors. Tanana hit .310/~.432/.480 with 92 runs, 18 homers, 89 walks and 87 RBI.
Frank batted .312 with 17 HR and 62 RBI for the 1954 Keokuk Kernels and .190 with 1 HR and 17 RBI for the Reading Indians, the #2 farm club for Cleveland. He would get no further.
In 1955, Tanana hit .290 with 13 HR and 54 RBI for Reading and he followed with a .244 season with 12 homers and 45 RBI in 1956.
Before embarking on his baseball career, Tanana was a high school basketball star, leading Detroit St. Andrew to back-to-back state titles in 1951 and 1952. After his baseball days ended, he was a Detroit police officer for 30 years. He died of cancer at age 61.
Sources: 1953-1954 Baseball Guides, Pat Doyle's Professional Baseball Player Database
