Terry Francona retired from MLB following the 2023 season.
The man who managed the Cleveland Guardians from 2013 to 2023 and took them to the 2016 World Series had a heartfelt farewell in front of his fans in Progressive Field, and shared hugs with his own players and even opponents.
The entire baseball universe showed its respect toward an all-time great in the art of managing.
Now, several months after saying goodbye, Francona keeps receiving awards.
That shows just how big of a figure he is.
“Tito was one of the 2024 William J. Slocum-Jack Lang Award recipients last night. This award is given to an individual who has demonstrated a long and meritorious life to the game of baseball. Congrats, Tito!” the Guardians tweeted.
Tito was one of the 2024 William J. Slocum-Jack Lang Award recipients last night.
This award is given to an individual who has demonstrated a long and meritorious life to the game of baseball.
Congrats, Tito!#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/IKppujZxey
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) January 28, 2024
According to Baseball Almanac, the award was named after William J. Slocum from 1930 to 2009.
From 2010 on, it was named the Jack Lang Award.
It is presented annually by the New York Baseball Writers Association “to a person judged to have a long and meritorious service to baseball.”
There were three winners in the 2024 edition: Francona, Detroit Tigers legend Miguel Cabrera, and fellow managerial great Dusty Baker.
Albert Pujols won the 2023 edition of the award.
Throughout the years, baseball figures such as Babe Ruth, Walter Johnson, Kenesaw Mountain Landis (former Commissioner), Mel Ott, Casey Stengel, Stan Musial, Yogi Berra, Willie Mays, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Reggie Jackson, George Brett, Frank Robinson, Joe Torre, David Ortiz, and CC Sabathia, among many other players, executives, writers, and members of the press, have gotten the prestigious award.
Francona keeps making history and collecting awards even after retirement.
If we are talking about a meritorious life in baseball, few others have matched what he has achieved.
NEXT: Guardians Show Up Low In Initial 2024 Power Rankings
