The Main Event

April 10, 1967 – Purchased Tito Francona from the St. Louis Cardinals. Francona hit .205 in 27 games before having his contract sold to Atlanta in June. Francona is the father of former Phillies and current Reds manager Terry Francona.

Tito Francona carved out a long and respected career in Major League Baseball, primarily as a dependable hitter and versatile outfielder/first baseman. Debuting with Baltimore in 1956 after two years of military service, he played for several teams, including Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, during an era when consistency at the plate was highly valued. Over the course of more than a decade in the majors, he built a reputation as a professional hitter, finishing with a .272 batting average and earning an All-Star selection along the way.

Francona’s time in Philadelphia came when he joined the Phillies in 1967. While not the peak of his playing days, his presence reflected the journeyman nature of many players of that era, moving between clubs as teams looked for experienced bats. He remained productive enough to contribute before wrapping up his career in 1970. Born in Aliquippa, PA, Francona stayed connected to his Pennsylvania roots, eventually serving as a local parks and recreation director.

Though Tito’s playing career was solid, his lasting legacy in baseball is often tied to his son, Terry, who went on to far surpass him in visibility and impact within the game.

Terry Francona as a Player

Terry Francona followed his father into professional baseball and reached the majors in 1981. A first baseman and outfielder like his father, he played parts of ten seasons with several teams, including a stints with Cincinnati, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and the Cubs. He was a contact-oriented hitter with a .274 career average, but he never developed into a star.

His playing career, while respectable, ultimately became a stepping stone to what would become one of the most successful managerial careers of his generation.

Phillies Managerial Tenure

Terry Francona got his first big managerial opportunity with the Philadelphia Phillies after the 1996 season. The job came at a transitional time for the franchise. Philadelphia had reached the World Series in 1993 but had since slipped into mediocrity, and Francona was brought in as a young, relatable leader who could help guide a roster that was being remade.

The results never materialized. Over four seasons from 1997 through 2000, the Phillies failed to post a winning record and never finished higher than third place in the National League East. His best season came in 1999 at 77–85, but the club remained well behind division powers like Atlanta.

Francona’s tenure in Philadelphia is often remembered as a learning experience rather than a failure. He was managing a roster in transition without the depth needed to compete, and the organization itself was still finding direction. After a 65–97 season in 2000, the Phillies decided to move on, finishing his time there with a 285–363 record.

From Setback to Stardom

What makes Francona’s story compelling is what happened next. After leaving Philadelphia, he rebuilt his reputation as a coach and assistant before landing the Boston Red Sox job in 2004. That opportunity changed everything. In his first season, he led Boston to its first World Series title since 1918, breaking one of the most famous droughts in sports. He added another championship in 2007, cementing his reputation as an elite manager.

Francona later managed Cleveland from 2013 to 2023, where he became the winningest manager in franchise history and guided the team to the 2016 World Series. Along the way, he earned three Manager of the Year awards and built a reputation for steady leadership and strong clubhouse relationships.

Return with Cincinnati

After stepping away due to health concerns following the 2023 season, Francona returned to the dugout in 2025 as manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He signed a three-year deal and quickly made an impact, leading the team back to the postseason and even reaching the milestone of 2,000 career managerial wins in 2025.

His current role with Cincinnati reflects both his longevity and enduring value in the game. Few managers have successfully reinvented themselves after early struggles, but Francona’s journey—from a losing record in Philadelphia to multiple championships and a Hall of Fame-caliber career—stands as one of baseball’s best examples of growth and resilience.

Philadelphia Baseball Events for April 10

  • April 10, 1950 – Lost Charlie Bicknell on waivers to the Boston Braves. Bicknell pitched in 30 games with the Phillies the two previous seasons with a combined 6.83 ERA.
  • April 10, 1971 – The Phillies debut in their new $49.5 million Veterans Stadium by beating Montreal, 4 – 1. Don Money of the Phillies connects for the park’s first home run.
  • April 10, 1987 – The home opener features pregame ceremonies, including the presentation of Mike Schmidt‘s 1986 MVP trophy.
  • April 10,1991 – Signed free agent Rick Schu, who had previously played for the Phillies from 1984-1987.
  • April 10, 1995 – Signed free agent Dave Gallagher who would hit .318 in 62 games. In August he was dealt to the Angels for pitcher Russ Springer.
  • April 10, 2010 – Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth drive in three runs each as the Phillies hand the Astros their fifth straight loss since the start of the season, 9 – 6. Jamie Moyer picks up his first win of the year for Philadelphia.

ICYMI

GO DEEPER INTO THE PHILLIES WITH BONUS COVERAGE ON PBN EXTRA INNINGS.

Sign up for a free subscription and get our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox. Or, sign up for a paid subscription ($5 per month/$45 per year) and get deeper coverage of the Phillies and the Minor League affiliates. And it all comes with a 7-Day Free Trial.

Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for April 10

  • Bob McGraw (born 1895) – Played his last two MLB seasons (1928-1929) with the Phillies and pitched in 80 games with a 5.41 ERA.
  • Marvin Freeman (born 1963) – Pitched three-plus seasons with the Phillies to start his career with the Phillies. Was traded to Atlanta for pitcher Joe Boever in July, 1990.
  • Rob Butler (born 1970) – Hit .292 in 43 games with the Phillies in 1997.
  • Andrew Painter (born 2003) – Made his long awaited MLB debut with the Phillies this season after missing two seasons following Tommy John surgery. Was originally drafted by the Phillies with the 13th overall pick in the 2021 Draft.

Please scroll down to comment on this story or to give it a rating. We appreciate your feedback!

PBN Logo

Disclaimer: Some of the products featured or linked on this website may generate income for Philly Baseball News through affiliate commissions, sponsorships, or direct sales. We only promote items we believe in, but please assume that PBN may earn a cut from qualifying purchases that you make using a link on this site.

Privacy Policy | Contact us

© 2026 LV Sports Media. All rights reserved.