In Appreciation Of Terry Francona

Lost between the season-ending retirement of certain first ballot Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera and the recent retirement of another future Hall of Famer in manager Dusty Baker, was the news that a third future Hall of Famer also decided to step down.

Terry Francona has decided to end his 11 year run as the manager of the Cleveland Indians/Guardians. Although he doesn't say he's retired - leaving the door open to remain in some capacity with the game he loves - he's done with the grueling day-to-day responsibilities of a Major League Manager.

Francona was literally born into the game of baseball. His father, Tito, played 15 years from 1956-1970, enjoying his best years in Cleveland. Terry later came up with the Montreal Expos in 1982 and played well enough to carve out a 10 year career himself.

 

2016 Topps Archives - 1985 Father-Son Recreate
#FS-FF Tito Francona/Terry Francona

  

After his playing career ended, Terry began coaching and managing in the White Sox organization. His big claim to fame during this time was in 1994, when he managed one of the biggest stars in the world,  Michael Jordan, on the Birmingham Barons squad.  

 

Image taken from Google Images

 

Terry's first chance to manage at the big league level came in Philadelphia, which was not very successful. In four years his Phillies never had a winning record or placed higher than 3rd.

In 2003, Francona was hired to manage the Boston Red Sox, an incredibly talented team that had just missed a World Series appearance by one excruciating game. It was his job to get the team over the top, and he did just that. His leadership helped the Red Sox overcome a 3-0 series deficit in the 2004 ALCS, and from there the Red Sox kept rolling to a 4 game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals. After 86 years, the "Curse of the Bambino" had been broken!

 

2005 Topps #271 Terry Francona (MGR)

 

That year changed the franchise dynamic, and the team won the World Series yet again in 2007. Francona ran his World Series record to a historic 8-0 with another 4 game sweep of the underdog Colorado Rockies.

It was after this amazing Championship that my wife gave me what is easily one of the best Christmas gifts I had ever received. As it turned out, Terry Francona was scheduled to appear at a fundraiser for the University of Virginia's baseball team. She got us tickets, and in January we drove over the mountain to Charlottesville. There was a meet-and-greet with he team, followed by dinner. Afterwards, Terry Francona got up and spoke. He told numerous stories, obviously focused mainly on the past season's championship. I'll never forget how casually he spoke, with lots of good-hearted humorous stories. From Dustin Pedroia's competitiveness to "Manny being Manny", he made the crowd laugh and feel like they were there when it was happening.

After he spoke, I managed to make my way up to the head tables, shake his hand, and thank him for the fantastic job he did, both that night and with the Red Sox. I managed to get a few autographs.

 

  

My wife even got a picture of me with him. In was an absolute honor to meet him.

 

Francona would go on to manage the Sox for a few more years before moving on to become the winningest manager in Cleveland history. 

2017 Topps - MLB Awards
#MOY-1 Terry Francona

 

I wish Mr. Francona nothing but good health and fortune as he embarks on the next chapter of his life. I have no doubt that after 2 World Championships, 3 AL Pennants, and 1,950 wins (13th All-Time!) that a plaque in Cooperstown is in his future. I'm looking forward to hearing him speak again when he does. 

 

Thank you, Terry.