Major League Baseball Player, Manager. He was the originator of the World Series and All-Star Game highlight films. He joined the Cincinnati Reds in 1921 as one of the original bonus babies and went on to a 12-year career that also included stints with Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland and the Chicago White Sox. The right-handed hitter batted .316 lifetime and won the American League batting title at .369 in 1929. Fonseca was a versatile player who was used at every infield and outfield position. But he was prone to injuries, earning the nicknames "Fractures." Four times he suffered a broken collarbone. In addition, he incurred a fractured wrist, a broken hip, a broken nose and an array of other ailments. He became the manager of a woeful White Sox team in 1931 and continued at that post until replaced in 1934 with a 120-198 record. He made good use of his time as skipper. He filmed many great hitters and later convinced American League president Will Harridge of their use for an AL motion-picture bureau. He got the AL owners to approve financing for the venture. He produced sound films in 1935 and began filming World Series and All-Star Games during World War II. An estimated 10 million military personnel saw them between 1943-45. The National League joined the venture, and before it was over, he had produced 53 baseball films, including documentaries. He returned to the field in the early 1970s as a hitting instructor for the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati. Later he was a consultant for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers before retiring in 1981 after 60 years associated with baseball.
Major League Baseball Player, Manager. He was the originator of the World Series and All-Star Game highlight films. He joined the Cincinnati Reds in 1921 as one of the original bonus babies and went on to a 12-year career that also included stints with Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland and the Chicago White Sox. The right-handed hitter batted .316 lifetime and won the American League batting title at .369 in 1929. Fonseca was a versatile player who was used at every infield and outfield position. But he was prone to injuries, earning the nicknames "Fractures." Four times he suffered a broken collarbone. In addition, he incurred a fractured wrist, a broken hip, a broken nose and an array of other ailments. He became the manager of a woeful White Sox team in 1931 and continued at that post until replaced in 1934 with a 120-198 record. He made good use of his time as skipper. He filmed many great hitters and later convinced American League president Will Harridge of their use for an AL motion-picture bureau. He got the AL owners to approve financing for the venture. He produced sound films in 1935 and began filming World Series and All-Star Games during World War II. An estimated 10 million military personnel saw them between 1943-45. The National League joined the venture, and before it was over, he had produced 53 baseball films, including documentaries. He returned to the field in the early 1970s as a hitting instructor for the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati. Later he was a consultant for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers before retiring in 1981 after 60 years associated with baseball.
Bio by: Ron Coons
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