Tito Francona

John Patsy Francona (November 4, 1933 – February 13, 2018) was a Major League Baseball player. As a child, he was nicknamed "Tito" by his father.^[1] His son, Terry Francona, is also often referred to as "Tito."

Baltimore Orioles

Francona originally signed with the

Francona was shifted to left field when the Indians acquired Kuenn for home run leader Rocky Colavito just prior to the start of the 1960 season.[11] With Colavito gone, Francona was inserted in the clean-up spot in manager Joe Gordon's batting order. After hitting only six home runs through the month of July, Francona was dropped to the number six spot in the batting order for August, and up to the number two spot in September. The moves helped, as he hit eleven home runs over the rest of the season to finish with seventeen. His 36 doubles led the American League.

On March 26, 1961, Francona hit a home run during a spring training exhibition game against the

Francona slumped a little under new manager Mel McGaha in 1962. When Birdie Tebbetts grabbed the reins in 1963, Francona was moved back into left, but his numbers dipped even further. His .228 batting average was a career low, and his ten home runs and 41 RBIs were his fewest over a full season. He was, however, part of baseball history on July 31, when he hit the third in a series of four consecutive home runs in a single inning against pitcher Paul Foytack of the Los Angeles Angels. This was the second time in baseball history that a team hit four consecutive home runs in a single inning. It has happened three times since, including once by the Red Sox while his son, Terry Francona, was managing.

The Indians acquired All-Star Leon Wagner to play left field prior to the 1964 season, so Francona split time between right and first base. After the season, he was dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named later and cash.^[14]

Journeyman years

The World Series champions were already set in their corner outfield positions and at first base; Francona was acquired strictly to strengthen their bench. He batted .259 in 1965, including .265 as a pinch hitter. He remained a pinch hitter with the Cardinals through 1966. During spring training 1967, his contract was sold to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Francona batted .205 with three RBIs filling in for an injured Bill White at first base for the Phillies.^[15] Upon his healthy return, Francona was sold to the Atlanta Braves. He enjoyed something of a resurgence in Atlanta, batting .248 with six home runs and 25 RBIs over the remainder of the 1967 season. In 1968, he logged 398 plate appearances, his most since 1963, and batted .296 with 47 RBIs, his most since 1962.

Francona was batting .339 with fourteen RBIs in semi-regular action in 1969 before a dislocated thumb halted his season.^[16] He returned healthy toward the end of June, but batted just .219 with one home run and eight RBIs in his return before his contract was sold to the Oakland Athletics on August 22. He returned to his hitting ways, batting .341 with three home runs and twenty RBIs over the rest of the season. He split the 1970 season between the A's and Milwaukee Brewers before retiring.

Career stats

His 1000th hit came off Los Angeles Angels All-Star Ken McBride on April 23, 1964.

• List of second-generation Major League Baseball players
• List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders

Post-baseball career

Francona was the director of parks and recreation in New Brighton, Pennsylvania until retiring in 1997.^[17] He remained in New Brighton until his death at his home on February 13, 2018.^[18]

References