[1] Fain played nine seasons with the Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians in the American League.

[3] He grew up in Oakland, California, where he graduated from Roosevelt High School as student body president.

[4][5] He joined the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League during his senior year of high school, when Seals manager Lefty O'Doul offered to pay $200 a month "under the table", as Fain's amateur status made him ineligible to join the team.

[7][8][9] In 1950 Fain played in a career high 150 games, batting .282 with 10 home runs and 83 RBI as he was named to his first All-Star team.

[6][10] He also led the league in doubles (43), and on-base percentage and third in hits as he finished sixth in the Most Valuable Player award behind winner and A's teammate Bobby Shantz.

[10] After the 1952 season, the Athletics traded Fain to the Chicago White Sox for fellow first baseman Eddie Robinson and infielders Ed McGhee and Joe DeMaestri.

He participated in his last All-Star Game as a starter alongside his White Sox infield teammates Nellie Fox, George Kell and Chico Carrasquel.

Future Hall of Famer Joe Gordon stated that Fain was the greatest fielding first baseman he ever saw.

In 1985 the Placerville, California, police department raided his home where they found several marijuana plants in his possession.

[3] In a 1994 interview with The Sacramento Bee, Fain discussed his legal issues, stating that he "knew how to grow the stuff.

[10] Fain died October 18, 2001, at the age of 80, in Georgetown, California from complications from leukemia and diabetes.