Terry Francona Receives Special Honor In Arizona

Terry Francona can proudly say he is a sports legend in several states.

He is beloved in Ohio because of what he achieved as the manager of the Cleveland Guardians from 2013 to 2023.

He won two World Series championships with the Boston Red Sox, so yes, he is also quite popular in Massachusetts.

He made his way as a college prospect in Arizona, and you can go ahead and add it to the list because he will get a prestigious recognition next year.

“2023 Arizona Sports Hall of Fame induction class: Abdi Abdirahman, Rich Dozer, Terry Francona, Richard Jefferson, Jerry Kindall, Charli Turner Thorne, Bobby Winkles. Induction ceremony is April 13 at Scottsdale Plaza Resort … tickets go on sale Jan. 15,” Arizona sports reporter Jeff Metcalfe tweeted.

2023 Arizona Sports Hall of Fame induction class

Abdi Abdirahman
Rich Dozer
Terry Francona
Richard Jefferson
Jerry Kindall
Charli Turner Thorne
Bobby Winkles

Induction ceremony is April 13 at Scottsdale Plaza Resort … tickets go on sale Jan. 15 #AZsportsHOF

— jeffmetcalfe (@jeffmetcalfe) December 28, 2023

Francona played baseball for the Arizona Wildcats, and that’s where he developed most of the skills that made him a major leaguer.

With the Wildcats, he won the 1980 College World Series and also took home the 1980 Golden Spikes Award.

After retiring this year to focus on his health, Francona’s induction to the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame is a nice recognition to everything he did before his big league career.

He is part of an elite group of athletes, executives, and coaches who gave a lot to the state.

Abdirahman is a long-distance runner who represented the United States at several high-profile competitions including the Olympic Games.

Dozer is the former president of the Arizona Diamondbacks and former VP and Chief Operating Officer of the Phoenix Suns.

Jefferson, a longtime NBA player in the 2000s and 2010s, played basketball at the University of Arizona.

Kindall, as the longtime head baseball coach of the University of Arizona Wildcats, will be honored posthumously.

He coached Francona and achieved 860 victories and three College World Series (CWS) championships in 24 seasons, from 1973 to 1996.

Turner Thorne is a former head coach for the Arizona State Sun Devils women’s basketball team and currently works as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA, with nearly three decades of experience in her craft.

Winkles was a highly decorated college baseball coach at Arizona State University.

Guardians fans will pay close attention to the induction ceremony and celebrate Francona’s achievement like one of their own.