[1] Born in Carlock, South Dakota, he threw and batted right-handed, stood 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) tall and weighed 190 pounds (86 kg).

Fischer began his minor-league career in 1937, spending a year in the Detroit Tigers' organization before being acquired by the Giants.

[2] The United States' entry into World War II in December 1941 began a depletion of MLB playing talent as athletes were called into the military.

In his 108 appearances and 3822⁄3 career innings pitched, Fischer permitted 416 hits, 222 bases on balls, and 217 earned runs.

[3] Fischer returned to the minors in mid-1946, played through 1949, then—after a seven-year hiatus—made a brief comeback at age 40 in the Class A Western League in 1957, appearing in four games.