Terry Francona's 23-year managerial career began in Philadelphia, peaked with two World Series titles in Boston and concluded with an 11-season stay in Cleveland.
Guardians manager Terry Francona looks on before the first inning against the Tigers on Oct. 1, 2023, in Detroit.
Slowed by serious medical issues in recent years, Francona intends to spend more time playing with his grandkids, getting healthy and enjoying an extended offseason after a 40-year-plus grind.“I came here for the right reasons,” he said. “I’m leaving for the right reasons, and what was in between was really good.”
“There is no one like him,” said Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, who played for Francona in Boston. “There’s one Tito. I just wish I had more time with him.” After Sunday’s season finale in Detroit, Francona hugged each of his players as they came off the field.“I just needed to tell them ‘thank you,’” Francona said. “We didn’t accomplish what we set out to this year, but they didn’t shortchange anybody in effort and they’re such good kids.”
After the final out, Francona came out of the dugout for a curtain call and tipped his cap toward the Progressive Field crowd for the last time. Every manager on the list ahead of Francona is a Hall of Famer except for Dusty Baker and Bruce Bochy, who remain active and likely will be enshrined one day.Things didn’t go particularly well for him in Philadelphia, where he had four straight losing seasons from 1997-2000, got constantly booed in a demanding, sports-crazed city and had the tires on his car slashed on fan appreciation day.
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