Terry Francona speaks during series against LA Dodgers video
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona speaks ahead of the National League Wild Card Series game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Former Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart pointed blame toward manager Terry “Tito” Francona after the Reds’ season-ending loss in the NL wild-card round of the MLB postseason Oct. 1.
“The fact that you have a 21 year old with a month in the big leagues feeling like he’s to blame for the loss says everything u need to know about Tito’s performance…” Cozart wrote on X Oct. 2.
The former MLB All-Star was referring to Reds rookie infielder Sal Stewart, who became the youngest player in franchise history to start a postseason game Wednesday, Sports Illustrated reported.
Stewart told reporters in a post-game interview, “I cost the team the game. Simple as that.”
In the sixth inning, the rookie wasn’t able to get a hit with the bases loaded while the Reds trailed the Dodgers 3-2.
He also had a throwing error to Reds pitcher Nick Martinez that set the Dodgers up to score four runs. The Reds went on to lose the game 8-4.
However, Stewart also had three of the team’s four RBIs during the game.
Cozart posted commentary throughout the Reds’ playoff run and the games leading up to it, and he was critical of Francona at times. During the same game, he wrote on how the coaching staff handled the team’s pitching.
“You take (Nick) Lodolo out… okay fine,” he posted. “(Nick) maritinez is in but you have to have dudes getting ready if trouble happens u can’t just leave him to face (Shohei) Ohtani, (Mookie) Betts, (Freddie) Freeman, (Teoscar) Hernandez … wild stuff.”
Cozart’s most recent post, sent Oct. 2, says, “Okay I’ve enjoyed getting back into baseball but ready for a break from here… maybe I’ll cya at Redsfest.”