Marion Fricano

Marion John Fricano (July 15, 1923 – May 18, 1976) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia and Kansas City Athletics. Fricano, a native of North Collins, New York, pitched in 88 games for the team from 1952–1955, starting in 43 games and attaining a 4.32 earned run average (ERA), 15 wins, 23 losses and two saves. Fricano hit Chicago White Sox hitter and former teammate Cass Michaels in the head on August 27, 1954, effectively ending his career. Fricano is also known for throwing the last pitch in Philadelphia Athletics history against the New York Yankees on September 26, 1954.

Fricano served in the United States Navy during World War II. While pitching at Cortland State University, the Brooklyn Dodgers signed him out of college in 1947. The Athletics acquired him in 1952 and he made his debut on September 6. Fricano would remain with the team through the end of the 1955 season, though his last game was on August 7, 1955 before being optioned to the Denver Bears. The Athletics traded Fricano to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a deal for fellow pitcher Jack Crimian. The Chicago White Sox would acquire Fricano in May 1956 before losing him in the Minor League Draft to the Seattle Rainiers, a Cincinnati Reds affiliate. Fricano would be traded to the Phoenix Giants in 1958 and remain there until the Dallas Rangers acquired him in 1959. He would remain with the Rangers until the end of his career in May 1961.

After leaving baseball, Fricano became a science teacher in Angola, New York before being elected as a Democratic Party member to the position of North Collins Town Supervisor. Fricano died on May 18, 1976 after a bout with pneumonia while on vacation in Tijuana, Mexico. Marion J. Fricano Park on U.S. Route 62 in North Collins is named in his honor.