#TBT: Terry Francona

Today's #TBT is dedicated to Terry "Tito" Francona. A career baseballer, the current Cleveland Indians manager is best known for his accomplishments as a skipper. Perhaps most famously, Francona is remembered for his curse-breaking World Series title with the Boston Red Sox in 2004.

Prior to his storied, 21-year (and counting) managerial career, Francona took the field with his own bat and glove. Francona was originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the 1977 draft, but chose to play collegiately at the University of Arizona instead. He was drafted for the second time 22nd overall by the Montreal Expos in 1980 and began his professional career with Double-A Memphis.
Francona debuted for the Expos in 1981 and was a mainstay for the next four seasons, but the Cubs still had their eyes on the young outfielder and first baseman. Francona was released by Montreal just prior to the 1986 season and was snatched up by Chicago soon after. He played just one season with the Cubs, shuttling between Triple-A Iowa and Chicago. Logging 17 games with Iowa - where he played alongside future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux and Washington Nationals' manager Dave Martinez - Francona hit .250 (15-for-60) with three doubles, two triples and eight RBI.
Following his stint with Chicago, Francona would play through four more seasons, suiting up for Cincinnati in 1987, Cleveland in 1988 and Minnesota 1989-90. In 708 career major league games, Francona hit .274 with 143 RBI.
Single-A South Bend, then a White Sox affiliate, kicked off Francona's managerial career in 1992. He led the White Sox to a 73-64 record and was promoted to Double-A Birmingham the following season, where he remained until 1995.
Philadelphia gave Francona his first shot in the big leagues, hiring the skipper in 1997. Francona continued with the Phillies through 1997, before taking residence in Boston from 2004-2011, and then landing in Cleveland in 2013. Under Francona's guidance, the Indians snagged the Wild Card in 2013, won the American League Pennant in 2016 and claimed the AL Central Division title in 2017.
Adding to the success of his teams, Francona managed the American League All-Star team in 2005 and '08, and is a two-time AL Manager of the Year (2013, '16). With an already prolific career behind him, Francona is sure to go down as one of baseball's greats.