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    • The Reds’ new captain is a modern-day Yogi Berra
    Iowa

    The Reds’ new captain is a modern-day Yogi Berra

    Eira Gwyneth Posted on

    On Friday, the Cincinnati Reds officially announced the hiring of 65-year-old baseball lifer Terry Francona as their new manager.

    Francona spent 23 years as a manager in the major leagues, earning a 1,950-1,672 record, three Manager of the Year awards, three pennants (2004 and 2007 Boston Red Sox, 2016 Cleveland Guardians) and two World Series titles (2004 ). and 2007 Boston Red Sox).

    Reds reporters and fans alike will love Francona because he is a quote machine. With classics like “You always think you’re going to win until you don’t” and “As long as we’re still breathing, we’re still breathing,” some might even call him the modern-day Yogi Berra of baseball.

    Here are 10 quotes, most funny and some serious, that shed light on one of baseball’s most popular men.

    A gastrointestinal problem that required multiple procedures for Francona in 2020

    “I thought I was the last person ever to be brought down by a tight ass. I don’t think I would be described that way.” – Aug. 2020.

    Coming out of a rain delay

    “Some teams you see minor league teams sacrifice a chicken, but we’re long past that. I told him, “We will need a human sacrifice.” Everyone agreed. (then-Cleveland replay coordinator Mike Barnett) said, ‘Why me?’ I just told him, ‘Everyone thinks it should be you, so man up.’” – September 2022.

    About robot referees

    “A computer and I would kick it (back) too. Can you imagine charging the disk with a computer in your hand?” – May 2022.

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    Eating 17 popsicles in one evening

    “I had 17 the other night. No, that’s not a lie. They’re healthy, so if you’re good, you have to be really good at 17. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling borderline like it was coming at me. But I was so tired that I laid there for about an hour thinking, ‘Don’t vomit, don’t throw up, don’t throw up.’ I should have gotten up and thrown up…” – June 2015.

    To one of his best friends, Rays manager Kevin Cash

    Cash played for Francona in Boston for three seasons. When asked if he expected Cash to become manager at the time, Francona replied:

    “I was hoping so because I didn’t see much of a batsman. He always had a bigger voice in the clubhouse than you would expect from a guy who plays maybe once a week. He had a voice in the clubhouse, I remember recognizing that immediately.” – May 2017

    The time I almost fell off a scooter into the bushes

    In September 2017, Francona was riding his scooter through downtown Cleveland. He lost his balance and began to fall into a bush. As he pulled himself together, he saw then-Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyron Lue.

    “I wanted to say hello to him and I was so embarrassed that I just got in and drove off across the street… I bet he saw it and said, ‘What an idiot'” – Sept. 2017

    On chili dogs

    Francona, who grew up about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, loves his hometown’s chili dogs. He says he used to visit the Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe twice a day. After his father’s funeral, he visited the facility and shot about 15 dogs.

    “OK, this is heaven,” he says. “That’s it. This is heaven. In order? This proves that there is a God. OK? You can talk about religion as much as you want. This proves that there is a God. This is a chili dog with everything. That’s what they call it. That’s what I grew up with.” – April 2023

    It remains to be seen what Francona thinks about the Skyline Coneys.

    In one of baseball’s most famous series

    Francona’s first year as manager of the Boston Red Sox was 2004. That year, the Red Sox made the playoffs as a wild card team. After defeating Anaheim in the Division Series, they quickly fell 3-0 to the Yankees in the Championship Series. They then won eight straight games to complete the impossible comeback and defeat the Cardinals in the World Series.

    “I’ve watched the highlights of the (Yankee) series a few times – not often – and I’m still nervous that we’re going to lose,” he said. – April 2024.

    “These are the four funnest baseball days of my life.” – May 2020.

    About Michael Jordan’s management

    Francona was manager of the Birmingham Barons in 1994 when Michael Jordan was with the team after first retiring from basketball to pursue a career as a baseball player.

    “If he had been willing to commit for three years, he would have found his way to the major leagues. I really believe that. If you tell Michael no, he finds a way to answer yes.” – Published June 2024.

    About his love for the game

    Just over a year ago, Francona stepped down as manager of the Cleveland Guardians, saying he needed time to rest, get his health under control and think about his place in the game. A little over a year later, it’s clear he couldn’t play baseball.

    “I don’t think it’s just about managing, I love the game of baseball. Since I could crawl, that’s all I ever really did… I just like baseball. I don’t think I’ve ever felt like I had to be a manager. “I mean, I love being a third base coach. That’s what’s more important to me than being a manager. – August 2023.

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    Eira Gwyneth
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