Franks

SALT LAKE CITY Former Major League Baseball player and manager Herman Franks has died. He was 95.

Franks died Monday of congestive heart failure at his home in Salt Lake City, said Cyndy Wright, his daughter.

The San Francisco Giants issued a statement Tuesday night, calling Franks a "true Giant" for his role in the team's history. He only played one game for the club in 1949, but went on to coach under manager Leo Durocher.

Franks managed the Giants from 1965-68, a run of four straight second-place finishes. His former players included future Hall of Famers in Orlando Cepeda, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry.

"When you mention his name, you immediately think of the Giants. He was a true Giant and was a part of our rich history in the 1950s and especially in the 1960s," Giants owner Bill Neukom said in a statement. "He will be deeply missed and we will always remember what he did for baseball."

Franks was a catcher for the Cardinals, Dodgers, Athletics and Giants over six seasons, which were interrupted by World War II. He played in 188 games, hitting .199 with three home runs and 43 RBI.

Franks was 605-521 as a manager, going 367-280 with the Giants and 238-241 with the Cubs from 1977-79.

Football star Cifelli dies in Mich. at 84

ROYAL OAK, Mich. Gus Cifelli, a star tackle who helped lead Notre Dame to three national championships and the Detroit Lions to the 1952 NFL title, has died. He was 84.

Terry Desmond, owner of A.J. Desmond & Sons funeral home, said Cifelli died last Thursday of natural causes at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.

Cifelli was born in Philadelphia in 1925 and served in the Marines during World War II. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1950.

Cifelli was drafted in 1950 by the Detroit Lions. He also played for Green Bay, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.