Jim Fanning honored for 60 YEARS in MLB @ The Rogers Centre

Jim Fanning is a former catcher, manager and front office executive in Major League Baseball. The first general manager of the Montreal Expos of the National League (appointed in August 1968), he served the Expos in a number of capacities for almost 25 years, and as their field manager in 1981 he guided Montreal into the playoffs for the only time in the 36-year history of the franchise.

Fanning's career began as a back catcher for the Chicago Cubs organization, eventually shifting to the administrative side. He became a scout and player development guru.

An intergral part of the Montreal Expos Organization. Much of his tenure with the team was spent building the Expos' minor league system into the envy of baseball. Which produced great players like Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Tim Raines, Larry Walker, Pedro Martinez and Marquis Grissom. Jim was also responsible for giving Cito Gatson his start in M.L.B.

Later in his career Fanning was a scout for the Colorado Rockies prior to becoming an assistant general manager and then ambassador to amateur baseball/Canada for the Toronto Blue Jays. He was elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000. Jim accompanied by his loving family Marie, Cynthia & Frank was honored for his accomplishments and contributions at the Rogers Centre July 25, 2009 commemorating 60 years in Major League Baseball.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• JiM
• FANNiNG