Terry Francona’s bullpen decisions Thursday night gave baseball fans a lot to chew on. But the Cleveland Indians manager still was able to have some fun before things got started.
The Indians defeated Francona’s old team, the Boston Red Sox, in Game 1 of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field. Francona still is very close with several Red Sox players, though, including Dustin Pedroia, who played under “Tito” for six seasons from 2006 to 2011.
So, just before Game 1 kicked off, Francona decided to engage in some shenanigans with his former second baseman.
When he was introduced before the game, Terry Francona shook the hand of John Farrell and then threw his gum at Dustin Pedroia.
— Brian MacPherson (@brianmacp) October 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/Kittydoll67/status/784458278382149632
Real mature, Terry.
Amazingly, Pedroia actually caught the wad of gum Francona hurled his way — which, as Francona pointed out Friday before Game 2, turned out to be a good thing.
Terry Francona tossed his gum at Dustin Pedroia during Game 1 intros yesterday. Francona: pic.twitter.com/AgVAnlumxr
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) October 7, 2016
The gum-slinging incident all was in good fun, of course — Francona was known for playing cribbage with Pedroia in his office and is extremely tight with the 11-year veteran. No word on how Pedey plans to get Francona back, though.
Thumbnail photo via Matt Marton/USA TODAY Sports Images
