San Francisco Giants Have a New Skipper

Mar. 8, 1965 - Calling the shots for the San Francisco Giants this season will be Herman Franks. Few fans even recognize his name.

Herman was a workaday catcher in the Cardinal chain and for the Dodgers, served as a commissioned officer in the Navy during World War II, did a little minor league managing, and coached for the Giants under Leo Durocher and Bill Rigney from 1948 through 1957.

Then he dropped out of baseball, was reported to have made a big score in business in Salt Lake City (Frank pooh-poohs this a bit), served as general manager of Salt Lake’s Pacific Coast League team from 1961 through 1963, rejoined the Giant coaching staff at Alvin Dark’s invitation, and was elevated when Dark was let out at the end of last season.

How does Franks feel about the Giants’ 1965 chances?

“At least six teams will be going for the flag,” he answers. “We’ll be one, and I think our chances are as good as anyone’s. We’ve got a lot of good players.”The list starts, of course, with Willie Mays, who at 33 years remains a marvel of enthusiasm and finely honed physical condition. Willie, now the Giants’ team captain and, as always, an idol to his teammates, reported to Casa Grande, Ariz., at his normal playing weight of 188 pounds and ready to go at top speed immediately.

Others of the Giants’ nucleus are Orlando Cepeda, who reported overweight at 228 pounds but apparently basically sound of limb again after a knee operation; Willie McCovey, now resigned to the fact that his feet are flat and occasionally will bother him; José Pagan, who is playing shortstop and swinging his bat with renewed assurance after a 1964 siege of eye trouble.

Giant leadership expects Jim Ray Hart at third base, Hal Lanier at second, Jesus Alou in right to do at least as well as they did as star 1964 rookies.

Catcher is well protected with Ed Bailey repossessed as a backup man for Tom Haller. Such pros as Harvey Kuenn, Jim Davenport, Chuck Hiller, Matty Alou, and Cap Peterson provide exceptional bench depth.

High-kicking Juan Marichal, who won 64 games and lost only 27 over the least three seasons, heads the pitching staff.

The other likely starters are Jack Sanford, apparently fully cured of his 1964 circulatory troubles by an operation; the rapidly developing Gaylord Perry; Bob Hendley, and Ron Herbel.

There aren’t many job openings on this deeply manned Giant team but, somehow, spots may be made for a quartet of impressive rookies: Ken Henderson, an outfielder; Bob Holbert and Bob Schroder, shortstops; and Jack Hiatt, a catcher.

“We’ll be in it to the end,” Franks states affirmatively.

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