Jim Hannan

James John Hannan (January 7, 1940 – February 9, 2024) was an American professional baseball player who pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1962 to 1971 for the Washington Senators, Detroit Tigers, and Milwaukee Brewers. Hannan co-founded the MLB Players Alumni Association and served as its first president.

Early life Jim Hannan was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on January 7, 1940. (Some sources report 1939 as the year of birth. ) He began his baseball career at St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, which inducted him in 2005 into the first class of its athletic hall of fame. He attended the University of Notre Dame and played college baseball for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Hannan earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Notre Dame. After posting a 17–7 win–loss record and leading the Class D New York–Penn League in strikeouts, he was selected by Washington in the first-year player draft. His MLB service, which lasted all or part of ten years, began the following season. In 1968, Hannan had career-bests with 10 wins, a 3.01 earned run average (ERA), and 75 strikeouts. Hannan only got into seven games for the 1971 Tigers and was effective in middle relief, before being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers on May 11 for John Gelnar and José Herrera. He finished his career as a relief pitcher for Milwaukee and was released after the season. Hannan tried out with the Atlanta Braves in 1972, but was assigned to the Richmond Braves and opted to retire rather than return to the minor leagues. Hannan was chair of the board of directors for the MLBPAA from 1996 until 2024.

The MLBPAA announced on February 9, 2024, that Hannan had died.