Meisel: Three days in New Brighton: the last time Terry Francona saw his father
From SABR member Zack Meisel at The Athletic on June 15, 2018:
After the end of the 2017 season, [Terry] Francona could tell his dad was losing steam. So, a few days before his annual trek to enjoy the holiday with his kids and grandkids, Francona surprised his dad on his back doorstep.
They spent three days together in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, where Francona grew up, not far from Pittsburgh. They ran errands, attended church and met with old friends and family. Francona stopped by the gravesite of his mother, Roberta, who succumbed to breast cancer in 1992. He purchased his dad a new Keurig machine and explained to him how to brew a quick cup of coffee. He bought him a new sweatsuit, since his dad was griping about the frigid temperature in his house. He also fitted his dad’s favorite chair with a new blanket.
“We had the absolute best time,” Francona said.
Tito passed away at his home on Feb. 13, about seven weeks after father and son relished their final days together. He was 84. Francona still treasures those three days in New Brighton, and he routinely thanks the voice in his head that implored him to head east for a late-December visit.
Read the full article here (subscription required): https://theathletic.com/386675/2018/06/14/three-days-in-new-brighton-the-tale-of-the-last-time-terry-francona-saw-his-father/
Originally published: June 15, 2018. Last Updated: June 15, 2018.