#663 Fran Healy

Better than average hitting back up catcher…was part of 1969 expansion and the ascendency of both the Royals and Yankees in the mid 70’s….drafted out of Cleveland by the Royals Fran got in a cup of coffee in 1969…Collected 4 hits to hit .400…Kept in the minors for 1970, was obtained by Giants in a swap of minor leaguers…Stayed with the big club for two years…After a poor showing in 1972 was sent back to the Royals for Greg “Moon” Minton*…got more playing time and responded with a .250 average…for the 1974 season established himself as the regular backstop and obtained career numbers…next year lost playing time to Buck Martinez …a poor start prompted a swap to the Yanks for Larry Gura*…used sparingly behind the great Thurmond Munson…was on the World Series roster in 1976 and 77 but did not play….got a ring in the latter year…1 AB in 1978 and then released….*nothing against Fran but both trades were steals for the other team.