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Marion Fricano
From BR Bullpen
Marion John Fricano
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 170 lb.
- Schools State University of New York College at Cortland and the University of Buffalo
- Debut September 6, 1952
- Final Game August 7, 1955
- Born July 15, 1923 in Brant, NY USA
- Died May 18, 1976 in Tijuana, Baja California Mexico
[edit] Biographical Information
Marion Fricano , sometimes called "Frick" or "Tony" on the ball field graduated from North Collins High School in New York State in 1942 and decided to postpone thoughts of a baseball career until he finished his education. He enrolled in State University of New York College at Cortland to pursue a degree in physical education. These plans were also put on hold when Fricano decided to enlist in the United States Navy, serving in the Amphibious Unit as a radio operator from 1943 to 1947.
After service in 1947 Marion signed his first pro baseball contract as an amateur free agent with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. He was assigned to the class C Johnstown Johnnies of the of the Middle Atlantic League appearing in 14 games, winning 5 and losing 2 with a 4.96 ERA.
Marion would spend six years in the minors before getting to the major leagues. On May 12, 1952 Marion was purchased by the Philadelphia Athletics from the Dodgers. The A's assigned him to the Ottawa A's where he went 17-8 with a league leading 2.26 ERA and being awarded his team's Most Valuable Player Award. The Philadelphia A's manager Jimmy Dykes had Fricano called up for the final weeks of the season and he responded by going 1-0 in 2 games with a 1.80 ERA.
1953 was "Frick's" first full season in the majors and he posted a 9-12 record in 39 games for a 3.88 ERA. However Fricano's career in the majors was to be a short one. In 1954 the Athletics hoped for a better finish than their 7th place finish in '53. Eddie Joost would replace Jimmy Dykes as manager.
The team finished last and "Frick" posted a 5-11 record in 42 games. In 1955 the team was moved to Kansas City and Lou Boudreau became the Athletics manager. Fricano only appeared in 10 games in '55. He was sent to the minors in 1956 and concluded his major league career with 15-23 record, appearing in 88 games with a 4.32 ERA.
Although Fricano was 32 years old he chose to spend the next six years in the minors (1956-61). In 1959 he would go 12-4 in 41 games with a 2.02 ERA for the Dallas Rangers. Fricano had spent 15 active years in pro baseball (1947-61) was 37 years old and decided to call it a career. "Frick" finished with a good minor league stat sheet, appearing in 416 outings, winning 113 and losing 81, while pitching 1,850 innings for a 3.84 ERA.
During his baseball career Fricano had found time to earn his bachelor's degree from the State University of New York College at Cortland and his master's degree at the University of Buffalo, and was a school teacher in upstate New York. In the late 1960's he became a recreational director at what is now Gowanda Psychiatric Center, until his death on May 18, 1976, at age 52 while vacationing in Mexico. The cause of his death was attributed to pneumonia, a complication from cancer he had been diagnosed with earlier.
[edit] Sources
Baseball-Reference.com
Baseball Players of the 1950s
SABR MILB Database:page
