Ferris Fain
Born: 3/29/1921 in San Antonio, TX, USA
Died: 10/18/2001 in Georgetown, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1947-04-15 | Final Game: 1955-09-24
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Ferris Roy Fain
Biography
Ferris Fain was a prominent American baseball player known for his exceptional hitting and versatility on the field during his career from 1947 to 1955. Born in 1921, Fain established himself as a key figure in Major League Baseball during the post-World War II era, a time marked by a resurgence in the popularity of the sport and the emergence of new talent. He played a total of 1,151 games, amassing 1,139 hits and achieving a noteworthy batting average of .290. Fain's offensive contributions also included 48 home runs and 570 runs batted in, showcasing his ability to drive in runs and support his team's success.
Fain was selected as an All-Star five times, reflecting his status as one of the top players of his era. His skill set was characterized by a keen eye at the plate and a solid approach to hitting, which allowed him to maintain a strong on-base presence throughout his career. Additionally, he demonstrated speed on the bases, evidenced by his 46 stolen bases. Ferris Fain's career left a lasting impact on the game, as he navigated the transition period of baseball, contributing to the rich tapestry of the sport during the mid-20th century.
Negro Leagues Career Statistics
Batting
| PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.0 | 16.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.062 | 0.062 | 0.062 | 0.124 |
Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting
| Season | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | 16.0 | 16.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.062 | 0.062 | 0.062 | 0.124 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1151 | 3930 | 595 | 1139 | 213 | 30 | 48 | 570 | 46 | 904 | 261 | 0.290 | 0.424 | 0.396 | 0.820 | 15010.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | PHA | AL | 136 | 461 | 70 | 134 | 28 | 6 | 7 | 71 | 4 | 95 | 34 | 0.291 | 1982.7 |
| 1948 | PHA | AL | 145 | 520 | 81 | 146 | 27 | 6 | 7 | 88 | 10 | 113 | 37 | 0.281 | 1744.8 |
| 1949 | PHA | AL | 150 | 525 | 81 | 138 | 21 | 5 | 3 | 78 | 8 | 136 | 51 | 0.263 | 1082.2 |
| 1950 | PHA | AL | 151 | 522 | 83 | 147 | 25 | 4 | 10 | 83 | 8 | 133 | 26 | 0.282 | 1942.6 |
| 1951 | PHA | AL | 117 | 425 | 63 | 146 | 30 | 3 | 6 | 57 | 0 | 80 | 20 | 0.344 | 2686.3 |
| 1952 | PHA | AL | 145 | 538 | 82 | 176 | 43 | 3 | 2 | 59 | 3 | 105 | 26 | 0.327 | 3155.2 |
| 1953 | CHW | AL | 128 | 446 | 73 | 114 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 52 | 3 | 108 | 28 | 0.256 | 789.6 |
| 1954 | CHW | AL | 65 | 235 | 30 | 71 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 51 | 5 | 40 | 14 | 0.302 | 664.3 |
| 1955 | CLE | AL | 56 | 118 | 9 | 30 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 42 | 13 | 0.254 | 304.9 |
| 1955 | DET | AL | 58 | 140 | 23 | 37 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 2 | 52 | 12 | 0.264 | 304.9 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 1116 | 140 | 9530 | 927 | 138 | 1124 |
| OF | 11 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | PHA | 1B | 132 | 0 | 1141 | 101 | 19 | 118 |
| 1948 | PHA | 1B | 145 | 0 | 1284 | 120 | 16 | 148 |
| 1949 | PHA | 1B | 150 | 0 | 1275 | 122 | 22 | 194 |
| 1950 | PHA | 1B | 151 | 0 | 1286 | 124 | 19 | 192 |
| 1951 | PHA | 1B | 108 | 0 | 931 | 113 | 11 | 124 |
| 1951 | PHA | OF | 11 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 1952 | PHA | 1B | 144 | 0 | 1245 | 150 | 22 | 124 |
| 1953 | CHA | 1B | 127 | 0 | 1108 | 106 | 13 | 98 |
| 1954 | CHA | 1B | 64 | 64 | 565 | 31 | 8 | 54 |
| 1955 | CLE | 1B | 51 | 34 | 325 | 31 | 3 | 30 |
| 1955 | DET | 1B | 44 | 42 | 370 | 29 | 5 | 42 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 1114 |
| Left Field | 1 |
| Right Field | 10 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | TSN All-Star | 1B |
| 1951 | TSN All-Star | 1B |
| 1951 | TSN Player of the Year | |
| 1948 | Baseball Magazine All-Star | 1B |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 6th | 66.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1951 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 6th | 103.0 | 336 | 1 |
| 1948 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 24th | 5.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1947 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 19th | 9.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1947 | Rookie of the Year | ML | 4th | 43.0 | 165 | 0 |