CLEVELAND, Ohio — It‘s rivalry weekend in the big leagues. As part the festivities, the Guardians will open a three-game series against the Reds, their intrastate rivals, Friday night in Cincinnati.
The Reds are managed by Terry Francona, who just happens to be the winningest manager in Cleveland history. Francona stepped down from managing the Guardians at the end of the 2023 season after 11 years.
It sounded as if he was headed into the good life of golf, friends and travel.
Then, of course, came the curveball out of left field. After the 2024 season, he accepted the job as manager of the Cincinnati Reds, which has added more than a little spice to the hunt for the Ohio Cup, awarded each year to the winner of the Guardians-Reds season series.
In light of that, some reflection is needed. Reflection along the lines of what Cleveland baseball fans learned from Francona during his tenure as Indians/Guardians manager.
No. 1: ‘We’ll figure it out’
In 2016, when the Guardians lost starters Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco to injuries going down the stretch, Francona calmed the waters by saying, “We’ll figure it out.”
All Francona did was revolutionize the way bullpens are used, while reaching Game 7 of the World Series against the Cubs with a two to three-man starting rotation.
No. 2: Enjoy the ride
Near the end of spring training, when the roster was being trimmed, Francona would always tell a disappointed prospect, “Go down to the minors. Enjoy being 19 years old and playing baseball for a living. Those are times you’ll never forget.”
Francona never seemed to lose the feeling that the game was supposed to be fun. That it wasn’t all about computers and algorithms. You could see it as he zoomed down the concourse at Progressive Field on his scooter that he called “The Hog” after a game.
He’d beep the horn and speed by with an ice bag on his surgically repaired foot. It was a sight to behold.
No. 3: Keep October open
The Guardians reached the postseason six times in Francona’s 11 years as manager.
No. 4: Always order the ice cream
After Game 4 of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field, Francona was back at the team hotel. It was 3:30 a.m. and he was hungry.
He called room service and they said it would take an hour and half to order food. So Francona did the next best thing, he ordered $44 worth of ice cream.
“I had the brownie sundae,” Francona told reporters at the time. “I had two orders of chocolate ice cream. I had two orders of vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce. Then to kind of keep it healthy, I had berries. Oh, yeah, and I had a Diet Coke.”
No doubt about it, Francona left an impression on the organization.
Breakfast and trivia
If you’re already in Cincinnati for the three-game series, and feeling adventurous, a traditional Queen City breakfast features a German-inspired sausage and grain dish called Goetta. It is often served with eggs and toast.
If that‘s not for you, there’s always Skyline Chili.
In the meantime, try and answer this Guardians question: They have hired two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber as a special assistant to the team’s pitching group. Where does he rank in strikeouts in franchise history? Answer below.
Next
Friday: They travel to Cincinnati and Great American Ball Park to open a three-game series against the Reds at 6:40 p.m. It will be Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (3-3, 3.80) vs. Reds RHP Brady Singer (4-2, 4.97) in the first game at 6:40 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.
Saturday: RHP Luis Ortiz (2-4, 4.78) vs. RHP Chase Petty (0-2, 21.94) Saturday at 6:40 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.
Sunday: Undecided vs. RHP Anthony Abbott (2-0, 2.10) at 1:40 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, MLB Network (out of market only), WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.
Monday: The Guardians open a three-game series against the Twins at Target Field at 7:40 p.m.
Trivia answer
Kluber ranks third in franchise history with 1,461 strikeouts. Bob Feller is first with 2,581 and Sam McDowell second at 2,159. Kluber pitched nine years in Cleveland compared to 11 by McDowell and 18 by Feller.
