Terry Francona made it to the house finale, his final managing the Guardians earlier than retirement.

His beloved scooter didn’t get there.

Simply hours earlier than Cleveland despatched off the favored supervisor, who’s leaving baseball after 11 seasons with the membership, with a 4-3 win over Cincinnati, Francona revealed that the celebrated motorized scooter he rode to and from Progressive Subject for the previous a number of seasons was stolen for the second time.

“The hog has been formally placed on ice,” Francona mentioned, utilizing the pet nickname for his journey earlier than Wednesday evening’s recreation. “It bought stolen once more, however this time they stripped it.”

Francona mentioned the two-wheeled car was swiped about 10 days in the past. It was first stolen in January however recovered by Cleveland Police.

“Been in mourning,” he mentioned. “They bought it within the clubhouse underneath a blanket. Appears like they took a baseball bat to it.”

The 64-year-old lately hopped on a substitute electrical scooter, however the journey wasn’t the identical. He veered out of the best way to keep away from hitting some pedestrians, caught a pothole on a cobblestone avenue close to his downtown residence and crashed.

“I went over the handlebars,” he mentioned, “I imply over. It’s superb how a lot you’ll be able to see of your life in that second.”

Saying goodbye to the coach is difficult for the Guardians and their fans.

Jokes apart, and it was becoming the moments earlier than Francona’s finale included some light-hearted one-liners from him, the final residence recreation in 2023 was a bittersweet celebration.

It’s onerous for the Guardians and their followers to say goodbye to the longest tenured and winningest supervisor within the membership’s 123-year historical past — one among baseball’s all-time characters.

Though he hasn’t formally introduced his retirement, Francona is anticipated to take action formally early subsequent week.

His departure will probably be a loss for baseball.

“For me, simply to be right here on his final residence recreation means loads,” mentioned Reds supervisor David Bell, who has identified Francona for many years. “The factor I learn about Tito is that everybody who has ever labored with him loves him. I’m positive this emotional.”

Francona didn’t need a particular ceremony for his ultimate residence recreation, however he relented to the group handing out 20,000 pink “Thank You Tito” T-shirts.

“Probably the most irritating half is I can’t put on the T-shirt as a result of it’s me,” Francona cracked beforehand. “I imply, it’s a pleasant T-shirt. I adore it once we get free stuff, however I can’t put on it.”

Shortly earlier than the primary pitch, the group paid homage to Francona’s run in Cleveland with a touching video tribute that chronicled his deep reference to the franchise (his dad, Tito, spent six seasons as an outfielder with the Indians) in addition to his managerial stint.

When it completed, Francona emerged from the dugout and tipped his cap on the cheering followers. He retreated for a second earlier than coming again out for a curtain name.

“I don’t keep in mind quite a lot of it,” Francona mentioned after the sport. “I used to be type of nervous.”

Francona wasn’t positive what sort of feelings he could be feeling as Cleveland mentioned goodbye.

“Most likely extra uncomfortable than something,” he mentioned. “I do know it’s a pleasant gesture, not dismissing that a part of it. My pleasure is what I do day by day and who I do it with.”

Francona, thirteenth on the wins listing with 1,948, has battled severe well being points lately and desires to maneuver on earlier than the sport beats him up additional.

It’s time.

“It bought more durable,” mentioned Francona, who got here to phrases along with his future in July. “That’s why I’m going to close it down. … I’m going to go get my physique patched up once more for in regards to the eightieth time and I’m going to attempt to go get wholesome and I’m in no rush.”

The last month of the season.

Francona insisted upon holding the highlight on his gamers in the course of the season’s ultimate month and he spoke with them earlier than the collection opener so that they weren’t caught off-guard by something of their ultimate days collectively.

He’s been a beloved determine in Cleveland — and past.

“To be on this recreation that lengthy and be revered and favored by everybody you have got ever come throughout is superb,” mentioned Bell, whose father, Buddy, performed with Francona and employed him as a coach. “From a participant’s standpoint, I might like to play for Tito and I feel most of his gamers do. To get essentially the most out of your gamers but in addition to be well liked by so many individuals, on this recreation that’s all the things.

“An unbelievable profession.”

Francona’s groups have been at all times within the playoff hunt regardless of having one among baseball’s lowest payrolls. In 2016, the group got here inside one swing of successful their first World Sequence since 1948 earlier than shedding in seven video games to the Chicago Cubs.

Earlier than the finale, Francona mirrored a bit on his managerial profession, which started in Philadelphia in 1997 and ended after 4 years along with his automobile’s tires being slashed on fan appreciation day.

Requested what he’d miss most, Francona mentioned “simple reply is the folks.”

And there’s that brief journey residence.

“It’s the best setup ever,” he mentioned. “I don’t know too many locations the place after video games, the police are both high-fiving or telling you, ‘Hey, simply dangle in there or lower round this automobile.’ I imply it, it’s been good.”

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