RIP, Herman Franks

[Smasher_Sloan]

Former manager of the Giants and Cubs, and the man for whom the term "crusty" was invented, dies at 95:

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_12037573

 

[Double J]

Also one of the key figures in the stolen-sign business that helped the Giants win the 1951 NL pennant.

RIP.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Brickhouse and Herman reunited.

 

[mpcincal]

I remember reading a funny story years ago about Franks and Masanori Murakami, the Japanese pitcher who played with the Giants in 1965. Seems Franks was getting frustrated at his inability to communicate with the pitcher, and Willie Mays and another player stepped forward and offered to teach Murakami some basic English, so they could at least reach some kind of understanding during mound conferences.

Well, a few days after the English lessons supposedly started, Franks comes out to lift Murakami for another pitcher, and right when he gets to the mound, Murakami tells him "Take a hike, Fatso."

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

I almost choked on my sandwich reading that!

 

[BTExpress]

There was a classic photo of Franks arguing with an umpire around 1979 or 1980. Centerpiece image in most newspapers the next day. Wish I could find it.

 

[forever_town]

There was a classic photo of Franks arguing with an umpire around 1979 or 1980. Centerpiece image in most newspapers the next day. Wish I could find it.

Buckdub's probably watched that game 10,000,000 times.

 

[buckweaver]

Didn't find that pic, BTE, but did find this:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedailymirror/files/1968_0601_sports.jpg

 

[MTM]

First Preston Gomez then Whitey Lockman and now Herman Franks?
Lee Elia better not buy green bananas.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

I saw Whitey Lockman play as a Cub.

 

[Corky Ramirez up on 94th St.]

Didn't find that pic, BTE, but did find this:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedailymirror/files/1968_0601_sports.jpg

That was a good read.

 

[Colton]

I remember reading a funny story years ago about Franks and Masanori Murakami, the Japanese pitcher who played with the Giants in 1965. Seems Franks was getting frustrated at his inability to communicate with the pitcher, and Willie Mays and another player stepped forward and offered to teach Murakami some basic English, so they could at least reach some kind of understanding during mound conferences.

Well, a few days after the English lessons supposedly started, Franks comes out to lift Murakami for another pitcher, and right when he gets to the mound, Murakami tells him "Take a hike, Fatso."

OK, I just spit Diet Coke all over my keyboard!