Guardians fans share their fondest Terry Francona memories from his decade managing in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Spend 11 years in any one place and you are bound to develop relationships with people that stand out, regardless of your chosen profession. When you’re the manager of a major league baseball team, and already a legend in the sport, those relationships can range from fleeting moments with fans to daily cribbage matches with clubhouse workers and everything in between.
As Terry Francona prepares to step away from his role with the Guardians, cleveland.com asked subscribers to Guardians Subtext to share their interactions with and fondest memories of the winningest manager in franchise history.
Below are some of their submissions. You can join Guardians Subtext here for the latest updates on the team as well as news and analysis from this weekend’s final farewell in Detroit.
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Tito stayed in Cleveland! I am sure he got called by many teams, but he stayed in small market low payroll Cleveland and brought home winners. Made us proud to be Guardian fans! — Arthur Flicker, Albuquerque
I first met Tito at a Fantasy Camp. He and his dad had lockers across from me. He would sit and talk endlessly to us. What a gracious, friendly, gentleman. Also, in the game against the Pros he hit a ball over the centerfield wall that went into orbit. Great memories. — Spence, Canton
I met Terry Francona at Winter Haven, when he was manager of the Phillies. The same day I recognized Tito, his dad, in line at the concession stand. He was my hero when he played for the Indians. Both class guys. Will be missed. — John Woods, Leetonia
To me, Francona rebuilt the franchise and placed it in a position to compete every year. Each year he faced new challenges and each time he strategically positioned the team and the entire system into a competitive place. With Chris Antonetti, he has created the Guardians as one of 2-3 franchises where rival teams look to rebuild their franchise plucking people from the system Francona and Antonetti created. Many fans really don’t realize how much of an influence he was to the Guardians’ success. Paul Dolans steadfast approach without interfering also helped. I hope he signs on as an advisor to Antonetti or Dolan to stay in our system. It is a major loss. I’m very happy to have experienced the 11 years with him. — Dave, Chicago
In late June when the Guardians were in Chicago I was walking down Rush Street and saw Tito. I was reluctant to bother him because he was with friends, but he graciously agreed to a picture. To thank him I sent a donation to Cleveland Guardians Charities in his name. — Gene La Suer, Des Moines
I just had a great deal of confidence and respect for Tito as our manager. His ability to command loyalty from most every player and staff is unusual, for anyone in “management.” He will be a hard act to follow, but I hope the overall integrity of the approach of the front office continues with someone with similar philosophies. I wish Mr. Francona the healthiest retirement. — Ed Brandyberry, Coraopolis, Pa.
In the midst of the 2016 Word Series with the Cubs, Tito relaxed at home that evening after a tense win by eating a quart of chocolate ice cream. I think he fell asleep with the spoon in his hand and the empty quart in his lap. — Terry Bedell, Stow
It was the second inning of a late March spring training game in Goodyear. Tito and Brad Mills brought folding chairs from the dugout to catch some sun. I was sitting right behind them just on the other side of the infield wall. Without effort, I was able to listen unobtrusively to their two hour conversation. Some of it was best buddy banter about families, where they ate the night before, etc. Still, it was 95% baseball — tracking a pitcher’s tell, an opposing player’s lack of hustle, subtle outfield adjustments all laced with Tito’s humor “I could outrun that guy right now,” and Mills’ one liners “He’s missing a good game,” in response to the umps pitch calling. Unforgettable. Tito will be succeeded just as Mills was, but neither will ever be replaced. — David England, Baton Rouge
My daughter arranged for Tito to record a personal birthday greeting for my 70th birthday. Tito’s two-minute message was funny and charming. What a great present! — Brent, Hunting Valley
I’m unashamedly weeping watching Tito’s goodbye. My great memory of Cleveland’s greatest manager is his innovative and masterful management of the pitching staff in the American League Division Series upset of Toronto in 2016. — Bob Maistros, Lake Worth, Fla.
Favorite Tito memory is when he looked Trevor Bauer right in the eye and said “What the f--- was that?” after he threw the ball out of the park (in Kansas City). Tito channeled my embarrassment with Trevor. And you knew in that moment he would never pitch for Cleveland again. — Mike, Connecticut
It was at Spring Training in 2018. I was excited to attend a VIP event with Tito, Rajai Davis and Tom Hamilton. We were lined up to get autographs from Tito and Rajai and I was the very first in line. Before we could get started, Tito yelled out, “Can we hurry this up here?” I figured he was running late for a golf game, and I, personally, was holding him up. On the other hand, Tito made sure that players made themselves available for autographs. “They’ve traveled a couple thousand miles to get here to meet you. We owe them that much!” Thank you Tito! — Greg Benedetto, Cottonwood, Ariz.
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