Beetle: The Red Sox should retire Terry Francona’s number
Reports out of Cleveland suggest that Guardians manager Terry Francona may soon call it a career due to health concerns. The former Red Sox skipper called Boston home from 2004 until 2011 and won the franchise’s first World Series title in 86 years in 2004.
If Francona does decide to end his run as a manager in the Major Leagues, our own Marc Bertrand thinks the Red Sox should strongly consider retiring his #47 jersey in the near future. Beetle, Hardy and Matt McCarthy discussed on Thursday:
BOSTON – APRIL 11: Boston Red Sox principal owner John Henry gives a 2004 World Series ring to manager Terry Francona #47 of the Boston Red Sox during a pre-game ceremony. The ceremony was held prior to the game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on April 11, 2005 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 8-1. (Photo by Ezra Shaw /Getty Images)
Should the Red Sox retire Terry Francona’s number?
Beetle: Terry Francona might be retiring as manager as the of the Cleveland Guardians. This might be the end of the road for Terry Francona. He’s had a number of health issues over the years going back 20 years. He’s dealt with a bunch of different stuff. He’s 64 years old now, which 64 as a manager in Major League Baseball these days is old. He’s an old manager. And so, this might be it. The Guardians are not coming back to Fenway at any point over the last six weeks of the season. Five weeks of the season. He was in Boston back in April when they were here. That was the last time. Steve Buckley [of The Athletic] suggests that if this is the end of the road for Terry Francona, that the Red Sox should retire his number at Fenway Park immediately. I don’t think it needs to happen, like in September. I don’t think it needs to happen opening day next year. But should the Red Sox retire Terry Francona’s number?
McCarthy: I think he’s the greatest manager in Red Sox history.
Beetle: That’s where it should end. That’s where it begins. That’s where it ends. That’s why the answer is yes. I agree with Buckley on this, and you know that Buckley can be a he’s one of those romantic baseball guys. He’d retire everybody’s number if he’ll let him. But I just don’t see I think he makes an excellent point. He should be up there. The best manager they ever had in the history of their team.
Hardy: How often how often do you invoke Terry Francona, though, when you’re talking about the years when the Red Sox won and did well? You know, it’s baseball. You don’t talk about the manager all that much. It’s not as integral to the success of the team as a football coach or I would say a hockey coach. Basketball and baseball, do we spend a lot of time talking about the coaches. Unless things are going really, really poorly, that’s or they’re being run out of town.
Beetle: So then no manager should ever be have their number retired or be honored by your team?
Hardy: If you’re with the team for 20 years and you win multiple World Series titles, yeah, it should be a consideration. He wasn’t here for 20 years. Eight years is not long enough to get your number retired as a manager.
McCarthy: Nobody can tell you actually what his number was. But he’s the greatest manager in the history of the Red Sox. He deserves to be honored in some way, shape or form. I don’t know if it necessarily needs to be a number retirement.
LISTEN: Beetle, Hardy and McCarthy discuss the return of Mookie Betts to Boston and the potential retirement of Terry Francona
The full list of jersey numbers retired by the Boston Red Sox
Bobby Doerr: #1
COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 24: Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr is introduced at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 24, 2011 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
9-time All-Star Bobby Doerr is considered by many to be the best Red Sox second baseman of all time. Doerr was a key member of the mid-20th-century Red Sox squads, boasting an impressive .288 lifetime batting average.
Joe Cronin: #4
BOSTON – CIRCA 1955: (UNDATED FILE PHOTO) Baseball legend Ted Williams (1918 – 2002) of the Boston Red Sox (R) signs a baseball contract as Boston Manager Joe Cronin (1906 – 1984) looks on in 1958. The 83-year-old Williams, who was the last major league player to bat .400 when he hit .406 in 1941, died July 5, 2002 at Citrus County Memorial Hospital in Florida. He died of an apparent heart attack. (Photo by Getty Images)
A notable player-manager, Cronin was a winner both on the field and on the bench. He also accumulated 7 All-Star selections.
Johnny Pesky: #6
BOSTON – APRIL 08: David Ortiz (L) of the Boston Red Sox and Red Sox legend Johnny Pesky walk to center field to raise the 2007 World Series banner during pre-game ceremonies before the Red Sox MLB baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on April 8, 2008 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Red Sox players and coaches were presented their 2007 World Series rings during the pre-game ceremonies. (Photo by Brian Snyder-Pool/Getty Images)
Pesky, a superb outfielder for the Sox, was known as an on-base machine and superb bunter. He is also the namesake of Fenway Park’s iconic Pesky Pole.
Carl Yastrzemski: #8
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Former Red Sox great and Hall-of-Famer Carl Yastrzemski throws out the ceremonial first pitch before Game One of the 2013 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park on October 23, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Aside from his legendary home runs, Yaz was an 18-time All-Star, 7-time Gold Glover, and 3-time AL batting champion.
Ted Williams: #9
13 Jul 1999: Ted Williams waves to the crowd as he is driven onto the field before the 1999 MLB All-Star Game against the National League Team and the American League Team at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The American League Team defeated the National League Team 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport
One of the greatest hitters in MLB history, Ted Williams spent his entire 19-year career with the team. Williams was a 19-time All-Star and a two-time MVP, known for his remarkable .344 lifetime batting average.
Jim Rice: #14
BOSTON – JULY 28: Former Boston Red Sox outfielder Jim Rice addresses the fans before the Red Sox game against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park July 28, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. Rice’s number was retired in a pre-game ceremony. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Jim Rice was arguably the best Red Sox player of the 70s and 80s, attaining 8 All-Star selections and an AL MVP in 1978.
Wade Boggs: #26
BOSTON, MA – MAY 26: Wade Boggs acknowledges the crowd during his uniform number 26 retirement ceremony prior to the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies at Fenway Park on May 26, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Despite antagonizing the Red Sox faithful later in his career as a member of the New York Yankees, Boggs was a 5-time AL batting champion throughout his tenure with the Red Sox.
Carlton Fisk: #27
BOSTON, MA – MAY 26: Jarrod Saltalamacchia #39 of the Boston Red Sox shakes hands with Hall of Famer and former Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk, after Fisk threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on May 26, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Gail Oskin/Getty Images)
“Pudge” established himself as one of the MLB’s premier catchers in the 70s, winning Rookie of the Year in 1972 and attaining 11 All-Star selections over the course of his 19-year career.
David Ortiz: #34
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 19: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox in action against the Detroit Tigers during Game Six of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 19, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
When you have a street named after you, it’s safe to say that you’ve done some big things. “Big Papi” is an absolute legend in Boston, winning 3 World Series Championships en route to becoming one of the greatest power hitters of all time.
Pedro Martinez: #45
BOSTON, MA – JULY 28: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox hugs Pedro Martinez, a former member of the Boston Red Sox, during a ceremony to retire Martinez’s number 45 before a game with the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park on July 28, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Martinez had arguably the best peak of any pitcher from 1997-2000. He also won a championship on the curse-breaking 2004 team, establishing himself as one of the most beloved players in the history of Boston sports.
