Hall of Fame
Jim Fanning '51 was a catcher for the Beavers, earning most valuable player honors in 1950. He began his professional playing career in 1950 and played eight years for the Chicago Cubs. He played and managed in South American Leagues in the winters of 1957-59.
Fanning began his managing career in 1958 at Tulsa in the Texas league. He managed the Dallas Club of the American Association in 1959 and the Dallas-Fort Worth Club in 1960. In 1961 he joined the Milwaukee Braves as manager of their class “ C ” team in Eau Claire, Wis. He was the general manager and field manager of the Eau Claire Club in 1962 and served as special assignment scout for the Braves in 1963-64.
During 1961, 62 and 63 he managed the Florida Instructional League Club for the Braves. In 1964 he became assistant general manager for the Braves and held that position until 1966, when took over scouting and farming duties for the team. Fanning was appointed director of the Baseball Central Scouting Bureau in January 1968 and was named general manager of the Montreal Expos later that year.
