PELL CITY, Ala. - Luman Harris , who managed the Houston Colt .45s for the latter part of 1964 and was the franchise's first manager to work in the Astrodome when it changed its name to Astros in 1965, died Monday after a struggle with diabetes. He was 81.

   Harris guided Houston to a 5-8 record over the last 13 games of 1964 before posting a 65-97 record in 1965, when the Astros finished ninth in the 10-team National League. He was replaced by Grady Hatton the next season.

   Harris got his first big-league managing job in 1961, when he was hired by the Baltimore Orioles on an interim basis. His greatest success came in Atlanta, where he took over in 1968 and won 379 games over five years. His best season was 1969, when the Braves finished 93-69 to win the National League West.

   Harris retired from the Braves in 1972 and moved back to his native Alabama, where he was enshrined in the state's Sports Hall of Fame.

   Before he managed,Harris pitched for Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics from 1941 to 1946 and with the Washington Senators in 1947. His career record in the majors was 35-63.