Francona says Indians didn’t cover up for accused Callaway
Manager Terry Francona said no one in the Cleveland organization “covered up” for former pitching coach Mickey Callaway, who is under investigation by Major League Baseball following allegations of sexual harassment.
In a story Tuesday, the Athletic reported that 12 current and former Indians employees have come forward in the past month to say the Indians were aware of Callaway’s inappropriate behavior while he was pitching coach from 2013 through ’17.
“Nobody’s ever deliberately covered up for anybody, I can tell you that,” Francona said on a Zoom call from the team’s spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz.
Francona was asked if he was troubled by the report.
“I have never worked in a place where I have more respect for people than here,“said the twotime World Series winner, starting his ninth season with Cleveland. “And I’ve been very fortunate to work for some wonderful people. I believe that in my heart.
“I don’t think today is the day to go into details, things like that. I do hope there is a day, because I think it would be good, and I think it’s necessary,“he said.
Francona said the Indians plan to release a statement further addressing the matter.
Shortly before Francona spoke to the media, his son, Nick, posted on Twitter that he had read the news story on Callaway and confronted his father. The younger Francona said the Indians “are clearly in the wrong.”
“Their behavior is unacceptable, and even worse, it’s hard to have faith in them to improve and learn when they seem more concerned about covering up wrongdoings that addressing them honestly,” Nick Francona wrote.
Terry Francona, 61, said his son’s comments were painful.
“I love all my children unconditionally,” he said. “As you can imagine, that’s a very difficult thing to see. So to deal with it publicly is hurtful.” Vaughn homers: Designated hitter Andrew Vaughn, the White Sox’s top prospect and a former Cal first baseman, hit a threerun homer off Texas starter Kohei Arihara in the first inning of a 55 tie.
“I don't have any doubt in my mind that he's ready to play in the majors,” AL MVP Jose Abreu said of Vaughn through interpreter Billy Russo as reported by MLB.com.
Arihara, signed from Japan and slotted as the fourth starter, surrendered three runs on five hits and a walk. Both of his innings were shortened because of pitch counts.
Chicago’s Lucas Giolito struck out four in his first start, yielding Ronald Guzman’s solo home run in two innings.
Other spring highlights: Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a grand slam, adding a little bat flip, in the Padres’ 72 win over the Diamondbacks. The 22yearold shortstop, fresh off his $340 million, 14year contract, rekindled memories of last season’s Slam Diego when the
Padres became the first team in MLB history to hit a slam in four straight games. Tatis also teamed on a double steal with Trent Grisham swiping home. ... Adam Wainwright, back for his 16th season with St. Louis at age 39, looked sharp, pitching two perfect innings and striking out one in a 00 tie with the Marlins. Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt each got one of the Cardinals’ four singles . ... Marcus Stroman, who opted out of playing last season because of coronavirus concerns, pitched two perfect innings for the Mets in a 20 win over the Astros . ... Aaron Judge doubled and scored for the Yankees in a 42 win over the Orioles. Gleyber Torres had two hits, scoring a run. Trey Mancini had a sacrifice fly in his second game since missing last season recovering from colon cancer . ... J.D. Martinez, who vowed to bounce back from a 2020 season in which he hit .213 in 54 games, singled twice in three trips and scored a run for Boston in a 93 win over the Rays . ... Josh Naylor drove in three runs with two doubles for Cleveland in a 61 win over the Mariners.
Briefly:
The Cubs finalized an $800,000, oneyear contract with reliever Ryan Tepera, and opened a spot by designating righthander Duane Underwood Jr. for assignment . ... Arizona right fielder Kole Calhoun will have surgery Wednesday on his right knee because of a medial meniscus tear. Manager Torey Lovullo said he wasn’t sure whether Calhoun would miss Opening Day on April 1.