Colorado Springs, CO – Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA), a non-profit organization, grieves the loss of the organization’s founding president and 10-year Major League Baseball veteran, Jim Hannan.

The Notre Dame graduate competed as a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Senators from 1962 to 1970, concluding his career in 1971 with the Detroit Tigers and the Milwaukee Brewers. Hannan was also a player representative, and his master's thesis on the Major League pension plan was used by Marvin Miller to acquaint himself with baseball's benefit system.

Hannan was instrumental in the creation and growth of the MLBPAA, serving as one of its founding members and inaugural president from 1982-86. He assumed the role of chairman of the organization’s board in 1996, holding the position until 2024. Due to his significant influence and ability to inspire others, the MLBPAA created the annual Jim Hannan Scholarship Award that supports athletes attending Jim’s alma maters, the University of Notre Dame and Saint Peter’s Prep.

“Our Alumni Association owes its existence and current status to Jim Hannan and his impact. Since 1982, Jim has championed former players and the MLBPAA will continue to advocate for our players and uphold the integrity of the game on behalf of Jim and our founding members,” said Dan Foster, MLBPAA Chief Executive Officer. “The history of our organization is inseparable from Jim and his everlasting influence. His presence will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with his wife Carol and children Coleen, Heather, Jimmy and Erin.”

Under his leadership, Hannan advocated for the MLBPAA and the Legends for Youth Clinic series, providing guidance and consistent contributions to its growth. Among other initiatives within the Alumni, Jim created the coaches clinic series in 2013, which provides youth coaches across the country with the tools to better teach their players the game of baseball; to provide them with theories of all facets of the game; to illustrate drills to practice the game's fundamentals; and to promote baseball by ensuring youth receive quality coaching throughout their youth baseball career.

“Over 42 years, Jim grew from a founder to the father of our organization,” Geoff Hixson, MLBPAA Chief Operations Officer said. “He was heavily involved to the end—pushing us to expand the reach of the alumni, all the while marveling at the size and scope it had reached within the game. His love for baseball was unmatched, driving his passion for the MLBPAA to succeed."