Ferris Fain

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ferris Fain
First Baseman
Born: March 29, 1921
San Antonio, Texas
Died: October 18, 2001 (aged 80)
Georgetown, California
Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
April 15, 1947
for the Philadelphia Athletics
Final game
September 24, 1955
for the Cleveland Indians
Career statistics
Batting average     .290
Hits     1139
Runs batted in     570
Teams
Career highlights and awards
  • 2-time American League Batting Champion: 1951-1952
  • 5-time American League All-Star: 1950-1954
  • American League Doubles Champion: 1952

Ferris Roy Fain (May 29, 1921 - October 18, 2001) was a Major League first basemen for the Philadelphia Athletics (1947-1952), Chicago White Sox (1953-1954), and in 1955, his last season, the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians.

Fain was born in San Antonio, Texas. The lefty was a top prospect and had 461 at bats in his rookie season, playing full-time. That year, he batted a solid .291 with 7 home runs and 71 RBIs.

Fain broke through in 1951 batting .344 with 6 homers and 57 RBIs, although he only had 425 at-bats due to a broken foot. That year and the following, he finished sixth in Most Valuable Player Award voting. Yogi Berra won in '51 and teammate Bobby Shantz took the prize in 1952. Fain took home batting titles in both seasons.

He had an off-year in 1953 after getting into a brawl in a Maryland café with White Sox fans. Fain was fined $600 by the White Sox, and was then sued for $50,000. After suffering a knee injury the following year, he never really got back on track. He ended having had an on-base percentage over .400 every full year that he played. He was in the top 10 in that category seven times in his career, while being in the top 10 in walks eight times in his career. His ability to get on base helped him to five straight All-Star Games (1950-1954).

In a 9-season career, he batted .290 with 48 home runs and 570 RBIs. He had 213 career doubles and a career .424 on-base percentage. He had 1139 career hits in 3930 at bats. Fain was regarded by some as the best fielding 1B in the majors until Vic Power showed up.

In 1985, Fain was charged with growing marijuana and sentenced to four months' house arrest. In 1988, he was again charged with growing marijuana and was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment. Fain said, "I knew how to grow the stuff. I was as adept at it as I was in playing baseball.".[1]

Fain died in Georgetown, California, of leukemia along with other complications. He was 80 years old.

[edit] Fact

Ferris became a custom home builder in Georgetown, CA in the 1970s and early 1980s.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Billy Goodman		 American League Batting Champion
1951-1952		 Succeeded by
Mickey Vernon