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CLEVELAND (AP) — Terry Francona made it to the house finale, his final managing the Guardians earlier than retirement.
His beloved scooter didn’t get there.
Simply hours earlier than Cleveland despatched off the favored supervisor, who’s leaving baseball after 11 seasons with the membership, with a 4-3 win over Cincinnati, Francona revealed that the celebrated motorized scooter he rode to and from Progressive Discipline for the previous a number of seasons was stolen for the second time.
“The hog has been officially put on ice,” Francona stated, utilizing the pet nickname for his trip earlier than Wednesday evening’s recreation. “It got stolen again, but this time they stripped it.”
Francona stated the two-wheeled automobile was swiped about 10 days in the past. It was first stolen in January however recovered by Cleveland Police.
“Been in mourning,” he stated. “They got it in the clubhouse under a blanket. Looks like they took a baseball bat to it.”
The 64-year-old lately hopped on a substitute electrical scooter, however the trip wasn’t the identical. He veered out of the way in which to keep away from hitting some pedestrians, caught a pothole on a cobblestone avenue close to his downtown residence and crashed.
“I went over the handlebars,” he stated, “I mean over. It’s amazing how much you can see of your life in that moment.”
Jokes apart, and it was becoming the moments earlier than Francona’s finale included some light-hearted one-liners from him, the final residence recreation in 2023 was a bittersweet celebration.
It’s arduous for the Guardians and their followers to say goodbye to the longest tenured and winningest supervisor within the membership’s 123-year historical past — one among baseball’s all-time characters.
Though he hasn’t formally introduced his retirement, Francona is predicted to take action formally early subsequent week.
His departure shall be a loss for baseball.
“For me, just to be here on his last home game means a lot,” stated Reds supervisor David Bell, who has identified Francona for many years. “The thing I know about Tito is that everyone who has ever worked with him loves him. I’m sure this emotional.”
Francona didn’t desire a particular ceremony for his remaining residence recreation, however he relented to the workforce handing out 20,000 crimson “Thank You Tito” T-shirts.
“The most frustrating part is I can’t wear the T-shirt because it’s me,” Francona cracked beforehand. “I mean, it’s a nice T-shirt. I love it when we get free stuff, but I can’t wear it.”
Shortly earlier than the primary pitch, the workforce paid homage to Francona’s run in Cleveland with a touching video tribute that chronicled his deep reference to the franchise (his dad, Tito, spent six seasons as an outfielder with the Indians) in addition to his managerial stint.
When it completed, Francona emerged from the dugout and tipped his cap on the cheering followers. He retreated for a second earlier than coming again out for a curtain name.
“I don’t remember a lot of it,” Francona stated after the sport. “I was kind of nervous.”
Francona wasn’t certain what sort of feelings he can be feeling as Cleveland stated goodbye.
“Probably more uncomfortable than anything,” he stated. “I know it’s a nice gesture, not dismissing that part of it. My joy is what I do every day and who I do it with.”
Francona, thirteenth on the wins record with 1,948, has battled critical well being points lately and needs to maneuver on earlier than the sport beats him up additional.
“It got harder,” stated Francona, who got here to phrases along with his future in July. “That’s why I’m going to shut it down. … I’m going to go get my body patched up again for about the 80th time and I’m going to try to go get healthy and I’m in no rush.”
Francona insisted upon retaining the highlight on his gamers throughout the season’s remaining month and he spoke with them earlier than the collection opener so that they weren’t caught off-guard by something of their remaining days collectively.
He’s been a beloved determine in Cleveland — and past.
“To be in this game that long and be respected and liked by everyone you have ever come across is amazing,” stated Bell, whose father, Buddy, performed with Francona and employed him as a coach. “From a player’s standpoint, I would love to play for Tito and I think most of his players do. To get the most out of your players but also to be well-liked by so many people, in this game that’s everything.
“An incredible career.”
Francona’s groups had been at all times within the playoff hunt regardless of having one among baseball’s lowest payrolls. In 2016, the workforce got here inside one swing of successful their first World Sequence since 1948 earlier than shedding in seven video games to the Chicago Cubs.
Earlier than the finale, Francona mirrored a bit on his managerial profession, which started in Philadelphia in 1997 and ended after 4 years along with his automobile’s tires being slashed on fan appreciation day.
Requested what he’d miss most, Francona stated “easy answer is the people.”
And there’s that quick trip residence.
“It’s the greatest setup ever,” he stated. “I don’t know too many places where after games, the police are either high-fiving or telling you, ‘Hey, just hang in there or cut around this car.’ I mean it, it’s been nice.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
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