CINCINNATI (AP/WRC) – Cincinnati manager Terry Francona got his 2,000th career win when he directed the Reds to a 4-2 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday.
The Reds are 50-47 at the All-Star break in their first season since Francona was hired in October. The 66-year-old Francona is 2,000-1,719 in 24 years as a big league skipper. Only 12 others have reached that mark including former Cincinnati managers Sparky Anderson (2,194) and Dusty Baker (2,183).
Following the game, reliever Brent Suter marked the occasion in the Reds clubhouse with a short, but passionate, congratulatory speech.
The Reds social media account posted a video tribute with remarks from some of Francona’s current and former players, as well as the likes of former manager Tony LaRussa, who is second on the wins list, former manager Joe Torre, and his friend Marty Brennaman.
“I don’t know if you would really believe me, but I wanted to win today so bad to get us like three games over .500, and I was so nervous about that because we got a break now and the guys can regroup,” said Francona of the achievement following the game.
“I don’t think I’ve ever tried to delude myself. I mean some of those names up there are kind of like baseball royalty. I’m the… if there’s a baseball adjective for baseball lifer, it’s me.”
“I’m not overly smart. I’m a second-semester freshman in Arizona still. I just love the game. Probably too much. And I hope… I hope I treat the players like you’re supposed to because that’s what I always try to do.”
Connie Mack: 3731-3948 (.486)Tony La Russa: 2884-2499 (.536) John McGraw: 2763-1948 (.586) Bobby Cox: 2504-2001 (.556) Joe Torre: 2326-1997 (.538) Bruce Bochy: 2218-2234 (.498)Sparky Anderson: 2194-1834 (.545)Dusty Baker: 2183-1862 (.540)Bucky Harris: 2158-2219 (.493) Joe McCarthy: 2125-1333 (.615)Walter Alston: 2040-1613 (.558)Leo Durocher: 2008-1709 (.540) Terry Francona: 2000-1719 (.538)