Jim Fanning
Born: 9/14/1927 in Chicago, IL, USA
Died: 4/25/2015 in London, ON, CAN
MLB Debut: 1954-09-11 | Final Game: 1957-09-29
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: William James Fanning
Biography
Jim Fanning, born in 1927, was a professional baseball player who made his mark primarily as a position player during a brief career spanning from 1954 to 1957. Fanning played a total of 64 games in Major League Baseball, where he recorded 24 hits and drove in 5 runs, culminating in a batting average of .17. Despite not hitting any home runs and not successfully stealing any bases, Fanning's contributions to the teams he played for during the post-World War II era remain part of baseball's rich tapestry.
Though his playing time was limited, Fanning's journey through the majors reflected the challenges many players faced during this period, including fierce competition for roster spots and the evolving dynamics of the game. His career served as a testament to the perseverance required to reach the highest levels of baseball, even if the statistics do not fully capture the impact he had on and off the field. Fanning's legacy is a reminder of the many players whose stories contribute to the history of America's pastime.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | 141 | 5 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 26 | 0.170 | 0.209 | 0.184 | 0.394 | -611.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | CHC | NL | 11 | 38 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0.184 | 0.0 |
| 1955 | CHC | NL | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1956 | CHC | NL | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.250 | 0.0 |
| 1957 | CHC | NL | 47 | 89 | 3 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 0.180 | -611.3 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 52 | 38 | 213 | 25 | 5 | 5 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | CHN | C | 11 | 11 | 40 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 1955 | CHN | C | 5 | 4 | 30 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1956 | CHN | C | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 1957 | CHN | C | 35 | 22 | 138 | 14 | 3 | 4 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 52 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista University | Storm Lake | IA | 1948, 1949, 1950 |