Indians manager Terry Francona relates an entertaining story about contracts and signing bonuses that goes back two generations, via Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer. Francona’s father, former big-league outfielder Tito, was trying to get a better deal from the Tigers in 1958, telling team GM John McHale he needed more money because his wife was pregnant. “That’s not my problem,” McHale responded. The baby, of course, was Terry, and McHale was president of the Expos 22 years later when they picked him in the first round of the 1980 draft. Tito acted as Terry’s agent and negotiated a $100K bonus. He then called McHale. “Remember when my wife was pregnant and I wanted a raise,” he said. “Well, that baby is Terry and he just cost you $100,000!” Here’s more from the Central divisions.
- The Reds have reinstated starter Homer Bailey (elbow) from the disabled list and optioned reliever Pedro Villarreal to Triple-A Louisville, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer tweets. Bailey’s start against the Cardinals on Saturday will be his first since last August. Bailey pitched reasonably well in 2014 when he was available, and he’s in the second year of a $105MM contract, so the Reds will depend on him to be productive yet again.
- Cubs Triple-A infielder Chris Valaika is confident Kris Bryant will be successful in the big leagues, although he’s undoubtedly facing a new challenge, MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat writes. “Everything’s escalated, the media presence doesn’t go away, and the game is crisper — it’s the big leagues for a reason,” says Valaika. “Those guys are the best of the best. They find a weakness and they exploit it until you close that hole. He will make adjustments, they will find a new one, and he will close it again.”
forearm not elbow injury for bailey.
The very first major league game I ever saw Tito Francona played in. Fenway Park June 1962. Terry`s daddy was with the Indians at the time. Starters were Dick Donavon vs. Bill Monbouquette. Extra innings. Dick (The Monster) Raddatz appeared in relief. I can still name every starting position player who participated in that contest for both Boston and Cleveland. Do you think the game made an impression? One of the most memorable days of my long lifetime, just as yesterday`s had to have been for many Cubs` fans, despite the outcome or the way Bryant performed at the dish.
I like your story, name them and how did the game end?
Did you receive my message questioning whether you are sincere, dude? I utilized a word which may have been censored, because I do not see my message here. I am fully prepared to name all those position players who started that game I referenced in June of 1962. As I said, it went into extras. I have to concede I`m not certain which team won the game. I reckon it was Cleveland, but please do not quote myself. After all ,neither club was or is my favorite team. My team is the Chicago Cubs. I do know Yaz played left field for the Boston entry, and this represented his second season in` the show.` Do you follow, dude? And I recall his first ab actually. He lined a sharp single into left field and I was impressed how hard that sucker was struck. {Keep in mind, this was my first major league game.} I`ll be waiting patiently to hear back, sir. But frankly, more and more I am suspecting you are a phony, and not really interested in what I have expressed here. Please prove me mistaken, if you are capable.
No I am, love hearing story like that. I’m 29 so I don’t know about the old days.
These are the players who appeared in that game in 1962. The first name represents the Boston player; the second the Cleveland player. !st base: Pete Runnels and Tito Francona; 2nd: Chuck Schilling and Jerry Kendall; 3rd : Bubba Phillips and Frank Malzone; short: Eddie Bressoud and Woodie Held; Lf: Carl Yastrezemski (sp?) and Chuck Essegian; Cf: Gary Geiger and Willie Kirkland; Rf: Carroll Hardy and Al Luplow; Pitcher: Bill Monbouquette and Dick Donovon; catcher: Bob Tillman and John Romano. As I said earlier, I am certain the game went to extra innings (just one or two), and as I commented earlier, I`m not certain which team prevailed, but I lean toward the Indians. I do have the vivid memory of Kirkland blasting a dinger to the deepest section of centerfield. And the only advertising that appeared in Fenway Park at that time was a modest `Jimmy Fund` banner in the right field area. I recall someone commenting at the time that the Red Sox organization would not even consider permitting any commercial advertising in the stadium. It was verboten! What a contrast to what one sees in today`s ballparks!
Lol sorry it took me so long to reply but yes love hearing about the good old days, good story. Now and days where ever you go ads everywhere
I have to make a correction, Shaungbd. The third base names need to be reversed in order to be accurate. Phillips played for the Indians, and Malzone the Bosox.