Former major leaguer saw son follow in his footsteps

Terry Francona loves to talk about his dad. Their relationship went way beyond baseball.

One a Cleveland Indians player, the other the team’s adored manager. Father and son. Tito and the kid who became Tito.

John “Tito” Francona, who proudly watched his son Terry follow his footsteps to the major leagues, died unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday night in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. He was 84.

Francona’s passing cast a pall over Cleveland’s training camp in Goodyear, Arizona, as pitchers and catchers reported Wednesday. Terry Francona, who has been affectionately called “Tito” for years in a respectful bow to his dad, will leave the team for several days to be with family.

Terry Francona was born the first year his dad played in Cleveland. All Francona did that season was bat .359 and finish fifth in AL MVP voting. He led the AL in doubles the following year, and in 1961 he was an AL All-Star and led the league in singles. Francona made his debut in 1956 with the Baltimore Orioles. He retired as a player in 1970.

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