Guardians Manager Terry Francona’s Favourite Scooter Stolen For The Second Time
Terry Francona managed the Guardians until the home finale, his final game before retiring. His cherished scooter did not arrive.
Guardians Manager Terry Francona’s Favourite Scooter Stolen For The Second Time
Terry Francona, manager of the Cleveland Guardians, will retire at the end of the season, but several Clevelanders surprised him with an early retirement gift. Francona’s scooter has become an iconic aspect of his public image in its own right. When it was stolen last year, fans were angry, even though it was promptly restored. His scooter was stolen and defecated this year.
Terry Francona’s farewell gift?
His scooter, The Hog, was stolen once again. pic.twitter.com/WJQeWKtw1X
— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) September 27, 2023
Francona said that the famed motorized scooter he rode to and from Progressive Field for the previous several seasons was stolen for the second time just hours before Cleveland sent off the beloved manager, who is departing baseball after 11 seasons with the team, with a 4-3 win against Cincinnati.
“The hog has been officially put on ice,” Francona said, using the pet nickname for his ride before Wednesday night’s game. “It got stolen again, but this time they stripped it.”
Terry Francona made it to the home finale, his last managing the Guardians before retirement. His beloved scooter didn’t get there. https://t.co/jabIfPm912
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 28, 2023
“Been in mourning,” he said. “They got it in the clubhouse under a blanket. Looks like they took a baseball bat to it.”
The 64-year-old recently rode on an electric scooter alternative, but the journey wasn’t the same. He swerved to avoid striking several pedestrians, then smashed into a pothole on a cobblestone roadway near his downtown residence.
Terry Francona says his scooter was stolen and defecated on ahead of the Guardians’ final home game https://t.co/VHqNb5CM3q
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 28, 2023
“I went over the handlebars,” he said, “I mean over. It’s amazing how much you can see of your life in that moment.”
According to The Athletic’s Zack Meisel, the perpetrator not only stole the scooter but also proceeded to strip it of parts and urinate on it.
“Terry Francona’s scooter was stolen again. And it was beaten up pretty badly,” Meisel posted. “And, well… ‘The worst part was they defecated on it.’”
In celebration of Terry Francona's 11 seasons as Cleveland's manager.
Thank you, Tito. ❤️ #ForTheLand | @CleGuardians pic.twitter.com/wtTT2ahB4F
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) September 27, 2023
Thankfully, Terry Francona will soon be out of the spotlight, and his scooters will be better protected. He has been managing since 1997, with only brief breaks, so transitioning to complete retirement will be a significant shift.
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