Tito Francona's Life Ends With Baseball Memories

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When John "Tito" Francona was negotiating a contract with Gabe Paul of the Cleveland Indians for his 1959 contract, he asked for a raise.

"My wife is pregnant and I need a raise," Francona pleaded.

Paul, who was called "The Smiling Cobra", refused saying, "That's not my problem."

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When Tito finished his 15-year career in which he hit .272 with 125 home runs, he became an agent with one client, his son Terry.

Paul was with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1989 as an assistant to the GM.  He was charged with signing free agents and wanted to sign Terry.  Imagine his reaction when Tito walked in representing his son.

"Remember that kid who wasn't your problem," the elder Francona said.  "He's your problem now."

Tito passed away suddenly in New Brighton, Pennsylvania on Tuesday night  Word spread through the Cleveland Indians, spring training camp on the day pitchers and catchers reported, where Terry Francona has been the manager since 2013.  The usual outgoing and personable Francona was not able to speak to the media about his father as arrangements were being made.

Cleveland general manager Chris Antonetti spoke for him.

"It was such a deep bond and having a chance to talk to Tito (Terry) today, he was able to reflect back and talk about so many great memories he shared with his dad showed how deep that bond was.He said, 'I had the best mom and dad in the world and to have the chance over the past handful of seasons share a lot of those moments with my dad, for him to come to Cleveland and watch every game on TV.with a chance to talk about them with him afterwards were memories that he will continue to cherish."

Terry Francona will be away from the camp Friday and Saturday. He is not likely to meet with the media on Thursday.  Bench coach Brad Mills will also be away from camp on Friday, presumably to go to services for Tito. "They are still working through the specifics," Antonetti said.

Antonetti was not comfortable sharing the full details

'I don't know the full details yet.  I think they're still learning. It was sudden and late last night," Antonetti said.