PASSINGS

Carlos Manuel Santiago

Star infielder in Negro leagues

Carlos Manuel Santiago, 82, a star infielder in the Negro baseball leagues during the 1940s, died Sunday of cardiac failure at his home in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, said his son, Carlos Manuel Santiago Feliciano.

Born in Mayaguez on March 2, 1926, Santiago played second base and shortstop for the New York Cubans in 1945-1946. He was invited to spring training by the Cleveland Indians in 1951 but was soon drafted into the Army and sent to Korea.

After his discharge, he continued to play professionally in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Colombia and Puerto Rico until 1960. After his retirement, he managed and coached for 23 years. He also served as a scout for several years for the California Angels.

He was a member of the board of directors of the Negro League Baseball Players Assn. Earlier this year, Santiago was among the former Negro Leaguers invited to attend a ceremonial draft organized by Major League Baseball.

Julius Fast

Author of books on body language

Julius Fast, 89, who was best known for his books on body language but was also a well-regarded mystery writer, died Dec. 16 in Kingston, N.Y., the New York Times reported. He suffered a stroke last year, the paper said.

Fast, the younger brother of novelist Howard Fast, published “Body Language” (1970), which discussed the largely unconscious messages sent out by the human body.

That book inspired several sequels, including “The Body Language of Sex, Power and Aggression” (1976).

A native of Manhattan, Fast earned a bachelor’s degree at New York University and spent three years in the Army.

He edited a collection of science fiction stories, “Out of This World” (1944), while in the service and then turned to crime fiction.

His first novel, “Watchful at Night,” was awarded the first Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1946 for the best first novel published the previous year.

Fast later wrote “The Beatles: The Real Story” (1968), and books on how to quit smoking.

-- times wire reports