Herman Franks is beginning the 1965 baseball season as the new manager of the San Francisco Giants. Herman has been associated with baseball for a long time, having broken into professional ball as a 17 year old catcher in 1932. In 1939, Herman got his first taste of major league ball when the St. Louis Cardinals brought him up to their roster. The following season, the old Brooklyn Dodgers purchased the services of the catcher. The second World War intervened and Herman entered the Navy as a commissioned officer. Leaving the service in 1946, the ballplayer began his managerial career with St. Paul in the International League. But when the Athletics needed a catcher, Herman gave up his managerial job to return to the majors as an active player.