Francona set to end career defined by class, touch

>> At some point in the next few days, Terry Francona will hop on his celebrated scooter, zip along the underground concrete concourses of Progressive Field and leave the ballpark he’s called home the past 11 seasons for the final time.

His ride is nearly over. Although he hasn’t made it official — and true to form, Francona was adamant about not pulling the spotlight away from the Guardians during their playoff push — the 64-yearold manager has indicated he’ll step down after this season, perhaps the most challenging of his run with Cleveland.

Slowed by major health issues in recent years, the personable, popular Francona may be stepping away, but not before leaving a lasting imprint as a manager and one of the game’s most beloved figures.

Adored by players. Respected by peers. Cherished by fans.

Born into baseball, he’s been a lifer. As as kid, he grew up in Pennsylvania hoping to follow his father Tito’s footsteps into the big leagues, and not only did so but also managed in Cleveland, where his dad had his best years.

A jokester, storyteller and throwback. A player’s manager. A manager’s manager. Francona is everyone’s manager.

“There’s nobody like him,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, who played one season for Francona in Boston.

Francona has poured his heart and soul into the game, first as an outfielder who battled through injuries and banged around for 10 seasons with the Expos, Cubs, Reds, Indians and Brewers, and then 23 more as a manager, over 3,600 games.

Quite a journey. In Birmingham, Alabama, he managed Michael Jordan during his bold swing at a second sport. In Philadelphia, the relentless boos from the city’s fervent fans made Francona question his career choice.

In Boston, Francona ended a a decadeslong curse by winning a pair of World

Series titles to guarantee him fabled status from Fenway Park to Faneuil Hall and beyond.

And, finally in Cleveland, he kept teams competitive despite financial limitations and nearly quenched a championship drought in 2016 on the way to becoming the winningest manager in the club’s 123-year history.

He’s 13th on the career wins list (1,948), fittingly sandwiched between Leo Durocher and Casey Stengel, two of baseball’s most colorful, larger-than-life managers with whom Francona shares so many traits.

There will be a day when Francona also is enshrined in the Hall of Fame, but Cooperstown was never any kind of goal.