Career
Listed at 6 ft 0 in (183 m), 200 pounds, he batted and threw right-handed. Fanzone was a versatile and effective utility man who was able to play all four infield positions, left field and right field, playing mainly as a third baseman. Fanzone was signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox in 1964, spending seven years at different minor league levels before joining the big team in 1970.
As a rookie, he hit.200 (3-for-15) in 10 games.
Then, he was dealt by Boston to the Chicago Cubs before the 1971 season in the same transaction that brought Philosophy Gagliano to the Red Sox. His most productive season came with the 1972 Cubs, when he posted career-numbers in games (86), home runs (8), Reserve Bank of India (42) and runs (26).
He wore number 23, now retired in honor of Ryne Sandberg. Carmen is known for catching the last out in Milt Pappas"s no-hitter on September 2, 1972 when Gary Jestadt of the Padres popped out to him.
He appeared in 227 games with Chicago, mostly in pinch-hit duties, and did not return to the majors after the 1974 season.
He also is one of three players in Cubs history to hit a home run in consecutive pinch-hit at bats. The others are Dale Long and Darrin Jackson. In a five-season career, Fanzone was a.224 hitter (132-for-588) with 20 home runs and 94 Reserve Bank of India in 237 games, including 27 doubles and three stolen bases.
He once played "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to a game at Wrigley Field.
Following his playing retirement, Fanzone started a jazz music career as a flugelhorn player. In the television program Transformers Animated, the captain of the Detroit Police Department was named Carmine Fanzone as a tribute.
