Despite a down 2023, the Guardians are preparing to send Terry Francona—the winningest manager in the 122-year-old franchise's history—off in style.
However, Francona revealed to reporters Wednesday afternoon that the day of his final home game was marred by the theft and subsequent mangling of his scooter.
“The worst part was they defecated on it,” Francona said of the incident, according to The Athletic’s Zack Meisel.
The 64-year-old manager’s scooter was previously stolen in January. It was eventually recovered by Cleveland police and returned.
Though he has yet to formally indicate he will retire, all indications are that Francona’s 11-year tenure with Cleveland is coming to an end. The ex-Phillies and Red Sox manager has struggled with health issues in recent years, missing large portions of the 2020 and ’21 seasons due to blood clotting.
Francona led the Guardians to division titles in 2016, ’17, ’18 and ’22, the AL pennant in ’16, and wild card appearances in ’13 and ’20.
Cleveland is scheduled to play its home finale Wednesday evening against the Reds.
