Nanny Fernandez – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Froilan “Nanny” Fernandez made his mark in baseball history as a versatile infielder during the pivotal years of the 1940s and early 1950s. Born in California in 1918, Fernandez hustled through the minor leagues and finally reached the majors with the Boston Braves in 1942.

Fernandez played four years in the Major Leagues, but three years of military service during World War II interrupted his career. He finished up with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1950.

He worked his way up from the Pacific Coast League, served in the military, and then jumped back into professional baseball. That path mirrored what a lot of players experienced during that era in America.

When you look at Fernandez’s career, you see a guy who could adapt. He switched between several positions and kept up solid performance across different levels of pro baseball.

His story covers his early days in California, a short but noteworthy major league run, military service in the war, and then more success in the minors after coming home.

Early Life and Background

Froilan “Nanny” Fernandez was born on October 25, 1918, in Wilmington, California. He found his love for baseball in those early years.

Southern California gave him the perfect place to grow his athletic skills. He had plenty of chances to play and practice.

Birth and Family Origins

Nanny Fernandez came into the world in Wilmington, California, a working-class part of Los Angeles. He arrived on October 25, 1918, with the full name Froilan Fernandez.

People started calling him “Nanny,” and the nickname stuck throughout his career. Wilmington was a diverse, industrial town that built strong community bonds.

His family reflected California’s multicultural nature in the early 20th century. The community supported young athletes like him.

Growing up in Wilmington, Fernandez picked up baseball early. The mild climate meant he could play outdoors all year.

Education and Early Baseball Interest

Fernandez showed a natural knack for sports during his school years in Wilmington. He sharpened his baseball skills in local youth leagues and on school teams.

By his teens, scouts and coaches took notice of his talent. The competitive baseball scene in Southern California really helped his game.

He batted right-handed and stood out for his defense. Coaches quickly saw his potential both as an infielder and as a hitter.

At 20, Fernandez signed his first pro contract with the Yakima Pippins in 1939. That move kicked off his professional baseball journey and took him from Wilmington into the world of organized baseball.

Major League Baseball Career

Froilan “Nanny” Fernandez played four seasons in Major League Baseball from 1942 to 1950. He split his time between the Boston Braves and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He played several positions and served three years in the military during World War II.

Debut with Boston Braves

Fernandez made his Major League debut on April 14, 1942, with the Boston Braves. He came in hot after a strong 1941 season in the Pacific Coast League, where he led the league with a .327 average and 129 RBIs for the San Francisco Seals.

He grabbed the starting shortstop job right away. In his rookie year, Fernandez played 145 games, hit .255, and knocked in 55 runs with 29 doubles.

His promising start got interrupted when the Army called him up on April 14, 1943. Fernandez served as a Corporal in the US Army Air Force for three years in the Pacific.

When he returned in 1946, Fernandez rejoined the Braves and matched his pre-war stats. He hit .255 again in 115 games, this time backing up Dick Culler at shortstop.

Position Versatility: Third Baseman, Shortstop, and Outfield

Fernandez showed off defensive flexibility throughout his career. He mostly played shortstop early on with the Braves, but he also handled third base and the outfield.

As his career went on, he moved around even more. After a tough 1947 season where he batted just .206, Fernandez returned to the minors and started adjusting his defensive roles.

By 1950, he had settled in as a third baseman. That move helped him stick around the majors and gave his team more options in the field.

Being able to play all over made Fernandez a valuable utility player. Managers could plug him in wherever they needed, depending on matchups.

Tenure with Pittsburgh Pirates

Fernandez joined the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1949 after a trade from the Brooklyn Dodgers. He started out playing for Indianapolis, the Pirates’ minor league team, and picked up MVP honors with a .312 average, 21 homers, and 128 RBIs.

That strong season earned him a call-up to Pittsburgh in 1950. Fernandez played 65 games for the Pirates, mostly backing up third baseman Stan Rojek.

The 1950 season ended up as his last in the big leagues. Even with limited playing time, Fernandez contributed as a steady bench player and brought some veteran experience.

After 1950, he went back to the minors. Fernandez played in the Pacific Coast League with Seattle and Sacramento until 1955 before calling it a career.

MLB Career Statistics and WAR

In his four seasons in the majors, Fernandez hit .248 with 16 home runs and 145 RBIs over 408 games. His career stretched across eight years, but the three-year military break took a big chunk out of it.

His best year came in 1942 when he played 145 games and drove in 55 runs. Missing three years for military service definitely affected his stats and career path.

Fernandez played in a total of 1,789 professional games, counting his minor league time. In the minors, he hit .285—quite a bit better than his major league average.

World War II Military Service

Nanny Fernandez spent three years in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. That break came right when his baseball career was taking off.

His military duty sent him from California to Hawaii in the Pacific Theater. Even while serving, he kept playing baseball.

Years Away from Baseball

Fernandez started his military service on April 14, 1943, right after his first season with the Boston Braves. He joined the 6th Ferrying Group at Long Beach Army Air Base in California.

He reached the rank of Corporal and served with other pro baseball players like Red Ruffing, Harry Danning, and Max West.

Even away from pro ball, Fernandez found ways to play. He hit in 44 straight games during 1943. On August 26, 1944, he went 2-for-4 in a 16-6 win for the Servicemen All-Stars at Wrigley Field.

In 1945, Corporal Fernandez headed to Hawaii. He played with Lew Riggs’ 313th Bomb Wing Flyers during the 20th Air Force Pacific tour.

He returned home from military service on January 10, 1946, after nearly three years away from pro baseball.

Impact on Professional Career

Those three years in the military came at a tough time for Fernandez. He had just finished his rookie season with the Braves, hitting .255 in 145 games as the starting shortstop.

After returning in 1946, Fernandez managed to hit .255 again in 115 games, but now he played backup to Dick Culler.

In 1947, his average dipped to .206, so he went back to the minors with Milwaukee in 1948.

Losing those years to military service cost Fernandez his prime as a major leaguer. He left at 24 and came back at 27, missing what could’ve been his best seasons.

Minor League and Pacific Coast League Experience

Fernandez spent a good chunk of his career in the minors. He won MVP honors with the Indianapolis Indians in 1949 and later played in the Pacific Coast League with Seattle and Sacramento.

Indianapolis Indians and MVP Achievement

After the Pirates picked him up in May 1949, Fernandez joined the Indianapolis Indians of the American Association. He put together a fantastic season and earned MVP honors.

Fernandez hit .312 that year, with 21 home runs and 128 RBIs. That kind of production made him a real asset.

His MVP year in Indianapolis got him another shot at the majors. The Pirates brought him up for the 1950 season based on his great play.

He returned to Indianapolis in 1951 for one more season. The Indians were Pittsburgh’s top farm club at the time.

Seattle Rainiers and Sacramento Solons

In 1952, Fernandez moved to the Pacific Coast League for his final pro seasons. He split time with the Seattle Rainiers and Sacramento Solons from 1952 to 1955.

The Pacific Coast League was a top-tier minor league. Some players used it to jump to the majors, while others, like Fernandez, continued their careers there after leaving MLB.

Fernandez played four seasons in the Pacific Coast League. That gave him a chance to keep playing pro ball after his major league days.

The league had a longer schedule than most minor leagues. Players like Fernandez could show off their skills over more games.

Highlights in the Pacific Coast League

Before his military stint, Fernandez already stood out in the Pacific Coast League. In 1941, he hit .327 in 177 games for the San Francisco Seals.

That year with the Seals was a standout. Fernandez led the league in RBIs (129), doubles (46), and triples (16), and he also hit 19 home runs.

His strong play in the Pacific Coast League earned him his first shot at the majors. The Boston Braves bought his contract in September 1941.

Fernandez played 14 years of pro baseball from 1939 to 1955. The Pacific Coast League marked both the start and end of his pro career.

Post-Retirement Life and Legacy

After he left pro baseball in 1950, Nanny Fernandez faded from the public spotlight and lived a private life. His four-year career with the Boston Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates might not have grabbed headlines, but he left a real mark on baseball history in the 1940s and early 1950s.

Life After Baseball

When Nanny Fernandez retired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1950, he pretty much slipped out of the spotlight. He didn’t follow the usual path of coaching or jumping into broadcasting like some other former players.

People haven’t documented much about his life after baseball, honestly. That’s not too surprising, though—lots of players from his era, especially those with shorter careers or who played before the media boom, just faded back into everyday life.

Back in the 1950s, athletes didn’t get the same kind of public attention they do now. Most guys just went home and picked up regular jobs once their playing days ended.

Contribution to the Sport and Recognition

Nanny Fernandez left his baseball legacy through his versatility and dedication over four seasons. He bounced between third base, shortstop, and outfield, showing the adaptability teams really needed in the 1940s.

He finished his career with a .248 batting average and 16 home runs across 408 games. Sure, those numbers aren’t eye-popping, but they show he contributed when he got the chance.

He lost three seasons to military service during World War II, which was a sacrifice many ballplayers made back then. That was just how it went for players of his generation.

Fernandez played during a big transition in baseball. He spent his career in the final years before integration and saw the sport change around him.

Statistical Records and Research Resources

You can still find Nanny Fernandez’s career stats in several baseball databases. Baseball Reference has the main record for his four seasons in the majors.

His career totals include a .248 batting average, 16 home runs, and 145 RBIs in 408 games with the Boston Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Baseball Reference and Retrosheet Profiles

Baseball Reference keeps the most detailed stats for Fernandez’s major league run. They’ve got his complete batting stats from 1942, 1946-1947, and 1950. His career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) ended up at 0.6, which means he played just a bit above replacement level.

He played all over the field. Fernandez took turns at third base, shortstop, and outfield for both teams. That kind of flexibility made him a handy utility guy.

They also note his military service gap from 1943 to 1945. Missing those years changed his career path and his overall stats.

Notable Career Metrics

Fernandez peaked in 1942 with the Boston Braves. That season, he hit .255 with 147 hits and 6 home runs in 145 games. His 1.3 WAR that year was his best single-season mark.

He showed more power in his last year with Pittsburgh in 1950. In just 65 games, he hit 6 home runs, which matched his total from 1942 but in way fewer games. His .404 slugging percentage that year was his personal best.

Across his career, he tallied 336 hits and scored 139 runs. Doubles (59) made up most of his extra-base hits, while he managed 5 triples and 16 home runs.

Other Historical Data Sources

The Baseball Almanac adds some helpful context to Fernandez’s career timeline. He started his professional baseball journey in 1939 and kept playing until 1955.

He spent 14 seasons in organized baseball. Minor league stats show he hit .285 during his pro career.

That number tops his major league average by 37 points. Maybe he struggled to adjust to big league pitching, which isn’t unusual.

StatsCrew and other databases say he played in 1,789 professional games. These sources give researchers a fuller picture of his baseball story, not just the MLB part.