Inductee #3 (2002)
	4 Monty Fariss | SS Hometown: Leedey, OK School: Leedey High School Played from 1982-85 College: OSU Pro: Rangers and Marlins Notes: Youngest Traveler to ever start a game at 13 years of age. Became an All-American at OSU and 1st Round Draft Pick. Made MLB debut in 1992 with the Rangers.

Monty Fariss is arguably the most talented position player to have come through the Traveler organization over the past 40-plus years. It was obvious that he was a special talent even as a young kid.

In 1982, Monty became the youngest player to start a game for the Travelers, starting at third base in the Tony Andenucio tournament (Pueblo, CO) at the age of 13. And he only got better as the years went by.

Although Monty went to high school in tiny Leedey, Oklahoma, the scouts flocked to see the two-sport star (he was also one of the state's best basketball players). He was a seventh round draft pick by the New York Mets out of high school, but Fariss went to OSU and became an All-American before signing with the Rangers as a 1st round pick in 1988.

After being picked as a Triple-A all-star in 1991, Fariss was the opening day left-fielder for the Rangers in 1992. In the off-season he was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 1993 expansion draft and made the opening day roster for that team as well.

When you try and rank the best individual Traveler seasons ever, Monty's 1985 summer is right at the top.

Monty had one of the best offensive seasons ever in 1985, helping lead the team to an 86-12 record and a berth in the American Legion World Series. During that season Monty hit .484, belted 21 home runs, 25 doubles, 10 triples. He tallied 108 hits and drove in 121 in the three-hole of the Traveler order.

And he was no slouch with the glove either. One of the best defensive players to ever wear the Traveler red, Monty holds the record for assists defensively with 178.

One of Monty's greatest moments as a Traveler may also be the biggest moment in the program's history when he drilled a first inning 3-run homerun against Gonzalez, Louisiana in the final game of the 1985 National Regional in Woodward. The Travelers went on to win the game 7-5 and advance to the World Series in Kokomo, Indiana. The blast was in front of the biggest crowd in Traveler history, with an estimated 5,000 in attendance.

Amazingly, Fariss put up such huge career numbers with the Travelers despite not even playing out his final summer of eligibility, opting instead to play in the New York Cape Cod League in 1986.

Career Notes:
1985 Drafted in the 7th round by the New York Mets out of high school.
1985-88 Attended Oklahoma State University (All-American shortstop).
1988 Drafted in the 1st round and signed with Texas Rangers.
1991 Selected for the Triple-A All-Star game.
1991 Major League debut against the White Sox.
1992 Selected for the Triple-A All-Star game.
1992 Opening day starting left-fielder for Texas Rangers.
1993 Drafted by Florida Marlins in the expansion draft.
1993 Opening day roster Florida Marlins.
1998 Opened "The Cage" baseball training facility in OKC.
2000 Instructor for the OK Thunder Baseball Academy.
2000 Coached USSSA World Series 8-year old team.
2001 Managed Edmond All Sports program.
2002-05 Personal hitting instructor for the Travelers.

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