SanFrancisco.Giants.MLB.com

By Rich Draper / MLB.com

Charlie Fox spent more than 30 years with the Giants, including three-plus seasons as manager. (Giants archives)

"I've known him ever since I came into baseball in 1955," said Jim Davenport, the former star third baseman who played a partial season under Fox with San Francisco in 1971. "I liked Charlie -- he always said what he felt like saying, and I never heard anyone say a bad word about him."

Fox, nicknamed "Irish," skippered the Giants from 1970-1974, compiling a 348-327 record, and was voted 1971 National League Manager of the Year when the club captured the NL West title.

Fox took over from Clyde King in May 1970 after the team blew an 8-0 lead against San Diego and eventually lost a 15-inning affair, 17-16.

A traditional manager, Fox was fairly gruff at times, but Davenport recalled "he always got along with players."

Fox spent more than 50 years in baseball, over 30 of them with the Giants, and played for the New York Giants as a catcher in three games in 1942, hitting .429 with one RBI.

"I just talked to Willie McCovey today and he was saddened as well," said Davenport. "He was a good manager and loved to talk baseball and be involved in the game."

Fox had a stint as general manager for the Montreal Expos from 1976-78. His final big league post was as a special assignment scout in the Houston Astros organization from 1990-93.

The longtime San Mateo resident is survived by his wife, Lola Bertolucci-Fox, son Michael, daughter Barbara, grandchildren Bridgette and Ryan, as well as stepchildren Mark, Dennis and Gary.

Services will be at St. Bartholomew's Church in San Mateo, with the rosary on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. PT and the funeral Friday at 10 a.m. PT. Donations can be made in the name of Charlie Fox to the Baseball Assistance Team (BAT), 245 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10167.

Rich Draper is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.