Bob Fontaine

Robert Marcel Fontaine

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 9", Weight 180 lb.

• Born November 14, 1923 in San Jose, CA USA
• Died March 25, 1994 in Poway, CA USA

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Bob Fontaine was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers as a 17-year-old in 1941. He spent his first year with the Santa Barbara Saints (going 1-1) and the Olean Oilers (7-9, 4.37). Returning to Olean in 1942, he improved to 14-5 with a 3.29 ERA.

After serving in the Air Force during World War II, he returned to the Montreal Royals in Dodgers organization in 1946, going 3-1 with a 3.68 ERA in 11 appearances and also went 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA for the Mobile Bears. However, that year he injured his arm, ultimately requiring surgery and ending his playing career. He pitched briefly for Montreal in 1947 and 1948, going a combined 0-2. His career record was thus 26-18.

After his playing days ended, Fontaine was hired as a scout by the Dodgers' Branch Rickey. He followed Rickey to the Pittsburgh Pirates and scouted for them through 1968. Fontaine was the San Diego Padres first scouting director, served as the team's General Manager from 1977 to 1980, and then the San Francisco Giants scouting director until 1992. Some of the players he was responsible for scouting include Willie Stargell, Dave Winfield, Ozzie Smith, and Will Clark.

Fontaine died of pneumonia at age 70. His son, Bob Jr., has been Scouting Director for the California Angels and the Seattle Mariners. His grandson, Matthew Thomas, was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 41st round of the 2007 amateur draft.

Preceded by Peter Bavasi

San Diego Padres General Manager 1977-1980

Succeeded by Jack McKeon

Draft Picks

1st Round

• 1977: 8th overall OF Brian Greer - Sonora High School
• 1978: 5th overall P Andy Hawkins - Midway High School
• 1979: 14th overall 1B Jody Lansford - Wilcox High School
• 1979: 24th overall C Bob Geren - Clairemont High School
• 1980: 5th overall OF Jeff Pyburn - University of Georgia

Other Notable Selections

• 1977: 4th round (86th overall) SS Ozzie Smith - California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
• 1978: 6th round (135th overall) 2B Tim Flannery - Chapman University
• 1978: 18th round (447th overall) P Eric Show - University of Redlands
• 1979: 6th round (144th overall) SS Harold Reynolds - Corvallis High School Did Not Sign

Significant Trades

• December 8, 1976 traded Johnny Grubb, Hector Torres and Fred Kendall to the Cleveland Indians for George Hendrick
• February 16, 1977 traded Jerry Johnson to the Toronto Blue Jays for Dave Roberts
• May 17, 1977 traded Butch Metzger to the St. Louis Cardinals for John D'Acquisto and Pat Scanlon
• June 15, 1977 traded Bobby Valentine and Paul Siebert to the New York Mets for Dave Kingman
• January 25, 1978 traded Dave Tomlin and cash to the Texas Rangers for Gaylord Perry
• October 25, 1978 traded Oscar Gamble, Dave Roberts and cash to the Texas Rangers for Mike Hargrove, Kurt Bevacqua and Bill Fahey
• June 14, 1979 traded Mike Hargrove to the Cleveland Indians for Paul Dade
• February 15, 1980 traded Gaylord Perry, Tucker Ashford and Joe Carroll to the Texas Rangers for Willie Montanez

Significant Signings

• December 14, 1976 signed Rollie Fingers as a Free Agent from Oakland A's
• December 14, 1976 signed Gene Tenace as a free agent from Oakland A's
• November 29, 1977 signed Oscar Gamble as a free agent from Chicago White Sox
• November 19, 1979 signed Rick Wise as a free agent from St. Louis Cardinals