Carmen Fanzone---1975
Cub fans in the early 1970s
remember Carmen Fanzone for two
feats: Catching San Diego Padres
pinch-hitter Gary Jestadt’s pop up for
the final out of Milt Pappas’ near
perfect game of September 2, 1972.
Secondly, for playing the National
Anthem on his trumpet prior to
several Cubs games.
And that’s all I really remember.
As a utility infielder, Fanzone hit just
.224 in 237 games over five seasons
primarily spelling the aging Ron
Santo, who was closing out his
career as a Cub. This 1973 card
shows a tranquil Fanzone, who may
have been embarrassed to be
wearing the “softball like” Chicago
Cubs road jersey of the time.
After baseball, the light-hitting,
occasional slugger went on to play
his trumpet professionally; landing
gigs in Doc Severson’s band on The
Tonight Show featuring Johnny
Carson and also with the popular
Baja Marimba Band. Even his
marriage has a musical ring as he
wed Sue Raney, a famous jazz
vocalist.
Fanzone was a rare combination of
stud athlete and band geek.
Somewhere a music teacher was
smiling when this card came out.
Heeeeeerrrrre’s Carmen!
(5/20/08)
remember Carmen Fanzone for two
feats: Catching San Diego Padres
pinch-hitter Gary Jestadt’s pop up for
the final out of Milt Pappas’ near
perfect game of September 2, 1972.
Secondly, for playing the National
Anthem on his trumpet prior to
several Cubs games.
And that’s all I really remember.
As a utility infielder, Fanzone hit just
.224 in 237 games over five seasons
primarily spelling the aging Ron
Santo, who was closing out his
career as a Cub. This 1973 card
shows a tranquil Fanzone, who may
have been embarrassed to be
wearing the “softball like” Chicago
Cubs road jersey of the time.
After baseball, the light-hitting,
occasional slugger went on to play
his trumpet professionally; landing
gigs in Doc Severson’s band on The
Tonight Show featuring Johnny
Carson and also with the popular
Baja Marimba Band. Even his
marriage has a musical ring as he
wed Sue Raney, a famous jazz
vocalist.
Fanzone was a rare combination of
stud athlete and band geek.
Somewhere a music teacher was
smiling when this card came out.
Heeeeeerrrrre’s Carmen!
(5/20/08)
