Terry Francona being the 22nd pick in the 1980 draft.
When I first started this list, I assigned subjects to all
the numbers just to make sure I’d be able to find something worth writing about
for each one. When I made the list, it didn’t occur to me that Francona might
not be here by the time I got to 22. Weird.
But, the fact that he’s now in Cleveland doesn’t change the
fact that he won two titles here, and many people think his draft position is
the reason why.
He was a first round pick. He was a sure superstar. An
all-star for years to come. Everyone knew it…and so did he. Of course, that
didn’t happen. His career, thanks in large part to injuries, never
materialized. He bounced around for years, hoping to just make a major league
roster. He eventually just drifted away.
He credited that experience as a great background for his
managerial career. He knew what it was like to be the cocky young superstar. He
knew that he wasn’t about to listen to anyone. He was better than that. It gave
him some insight into how to deal with hot shot rookies when he had to manage
them. He also knew what it was like to be the veteran trying to hold on. He
knew what it felt like to have someone start in your place. He knew what it was
like to dread being called into the manager’s office, because it could mean
your career just ended.
With those experiences in mind, he was able to relate to his
entire roster. He might know what to say to the young rookie who knows he has
talent. He might know what to say to the older player who has to step aside for
the rookie to play. It’s not hard to see where he might manage differently if
he was a 22nd round pick.
His draft position should also serve as a reminder to the
current Red Sox front office of the volatility of any draft pick. I’m sure
Montreal was thrilled to draft Francona, and it didn’t work out. Draft picks
sometimes don’t work out the way you hope they do.
But, in this case, I’m glad it didn’t work out for Francona.
Otherwise, we might be looking at a 95 year drought.
22 is for Terry Francona’s draft position.
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