Terry Francona, the ex-manager of the Red Sox and current manager of the Cleveland Indians, returned to Fenway Park last night for the first time since his controversial dismissal - and the release of the equally controversial book he and Boston Globe sports columnist Dan Shaughnessy penned.
Beloved in Boston, Francona was treated to a standing ovation, along with a video montage of his outstanding accomplishments as the Red Sox skipper. Afterwards, Francona’s club got to work. They laid the wood to Boston’s local nine with 12 runs cruising to a 12 to 3 victory.
The Red Sox had surpassed most expectations this first half of the season with 28 wins - only a game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East. Equally surprising, though, is the Cleveland Indians’ first half. The Tribe has marched to a 27-win opening campaign, good for tops in the American League Central.
The irony was not missed by Shaughnessy who tweeted Tuesday:
As good at the Red Sox have been, who would have guess that the Terry Francona Indians would have a better record on May 21?
— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) May 21, 2013
Tito probably would have guessed it.
