Health issues and a need to rest forced former Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona to retire after the 2023 season.
He had taken over the team in 2013 and made it one of MLB’s toughest squads of the 2010s.
The Guardians are in good hands with Stephen Vogt at the helm, but fans are still obviously fond of Tito and will always wish the best for him.
Francona is turning 65 on Monday, and the team made sure to keep him in mind with a Twitter post.
“Happy birthday to our all-time winningest manager! Have a great day, Tito!” the Guardians posted.
Fans were eager to send him their best.
🐐🐐🐐
— Duder (@EmperorDuder) April 22, 2024
Happy birthday! 🎉 #SageMLB #SageInsights
— Sage USA (@SageUSAmerica) April 22, 2024
happy birthday, tito! 🫶🏼🥳
— Julie Zajac (@juliezajac31) April 22, 2024
Happy Birthday, Tito! pic.twitter.com/mHDLkAfrW3
— DollarDog Nick (@DollarDogNick) April 22, 2024
Nobody in the history of the Guardians has more wins than Francona’s 921.
His winning percentage was a fine .549, and he was one victory away from getting Cleveland its first World Series title since 1948.
In 11 seasons in front of the Guards, Francona took them to the playoffs six times.
Cleveland hadn’t been that good and competitive since the late-90s and early 2000s, and they have Francona to thank for that.
He restored pride and dignity to the franchise, and became a team legend over the course of his tenure.
Fans absolutely love him and wish him a happy birthday.
Hopefully, he is having a great day, doing the things that make him happy.
We are sure he is following the Guardians’ incredible season from a totally different place now.
A lot of their current success should be attributed to him, because he had a say in this core’s development.
NEXT: Insider Notes Several Key Guardians Stats Amid Hot Start
