by Max Silberman

Herman Franks, former major leaguer with the Cardinals,Dodgers, Athletics (1947-48) and the Giants passed away at 95 years of age.

The former catcher also managed the SF Giants. Plans were made for him to attend a reunion several years ago but poor health prevented him from coming from his Utah home.

The Philadelphia A’s Society extends deepest condolences to the Franks family.

Herman Franks

By David Jordan

Herman Franks, who caught for the A’s in 1947 and 1948, passed away on March 30, 2009, in his native state of Utah, at the age of 95.

Herman’s big-league career as a catcher ran from 1939 to 1949, with the Cardinals, Dodgers, and Giants as well as the Athletics, broken up by military service in World War II. He later spent seven seasons as a manager with the Giants (1965-68) and the Cubs (1977-79) and ten years as a big-league coach. While with the Giants, he managed pitcher Masanori Murakami, the first Japanese player in the majors, to whom the Giants infielders offered to teach a few words of English. When Franks came to the mound to relieve him, Masanori proudly uttered the words taught to him, “Take a hike, Herman.”

Herman planned to attend a recent A’s Society reunion but was forced to decline because of his health. The A’s Historical Society will miss Herman Franks.