Tito and Cash: Guardians' Terry Francona, Rays' Kevin Cash enjoy epic pranks, deep bond

  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

CLEVELAND – Tito and Cash sounds like a movie sequel or an ESPN “30 for 30” episode on some of the greatest pranks between two managers in Major League Baseball.

YouTube is filled with snippets of the mischievous antics the Tampa Bay Rays’ Kevin Cash and the Guardians’ Terry Francona have directed at each other.

Like the day in May 2017 when Francona welcomed Cash to Cleveland with the scoreboard greeting of “How Bad is Kevin Cash at the Plate?”, pointing out the former catcher’s .183/.248/.278 slash line and an OPS+ that was the fifth worst of all time, not including pitchers.

Or the day in September, 2018 when Cash dragged Francona’s scooter to the shortstop’s infield spot during batting practice and supposedly offered a reward to anyone who could hit it.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash discusses a call with home plate umpire Ryan Additon during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash discusses a call with home plate umpire Ryan Additon during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Guardians fine with 'cheesy':Cleveland Guardians' youthful playoff roster prepares for another round of firsts vs. Rays

Reliving 2022 Guardians fun:Cleveland Guardians 2022 season: The top moments, the defining stretches, the headbutt

So it was no wonder that when Cash arrived at Progressive Field for the AL Wild Card Series that opens against the Guardians Friday, he checked the drawers in his office for surprises from Francona.

As of Thursday afternoon, there had been none. No snake in Cash’s Gatorade bottle, either.

“Not yet,” Cash said.

Cash, 44, played for Francona, 63, for three seasons in Boston, Cash earning a World Series ring in 2007 despite appearing in only 12 games. After a 2007-08 stint, Cash ended his career with the Red Sox in 2010.

Francona was hired by the Guardians on Oct. 8, 2012 and brought in Cash, who served as bullpen coach for two seasons. That experience helped Cash land the Rays' job in 2015. He led them to the American League pennant in 2020 and has twice been named manager of the year.

Asked if he saw that kind of future for Cash during his playing days, Francona kept the ribbing coming.

“I hoped, because I didn't see much of a hitter,” Francona said. “He always had more of a voice in the clubhouse than you would think from a guy that plays maybe once a week. He had a voice in the clubhouse, I remember recognizing that right away.”

But Francona allowed himself to get serious Wednesday.

“I’m really proud of where he's come and what he's done. Same thing with Q,” Francona said of Matt Quatraro, the Rays’ bench coach the past three seasons who spent 2014-17 as Guardians assistant hitting coach. “They're good people and they're really good baseball people.

“But when the game starts, we're going to try and win and so are they. I'm going to love Cashie and Q tomorrow and the next day and the next week. Just for about three hours both of us are really going to want to win bad.”

In this Feb. 12, 2013, file photo, Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona, left, and bullpen coach Kevin Cash watch during spring training baseball in Goodyear, Ariz. Cash was hired as the new manager of the Tampa Bay Rays on Dec. 5, 2014.
In this Feb. 12, 2013, file photo, Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona, left, and bullpen coach Kevin Cash watch during spring training baseball in Goodyear, Ariz. Cash was hired as the new manager of the Tampa Bay Rays on Dec. 5, 2014.

How Guardians reached playoffs:What you need to know about the Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays AL Wild Card Series

Guardians outfielder finds his stroke:Guardians' patience with Oscar Gonzalez's power rewarded in September

Francona called Cash “one of my closest people in baseball” and considered meeting Cash at the JACK Cleveland Casino Wednesday, but the Rays got into town too late.

In the past three years, Cash believes their relationship has strengthened as Francona battled health issues. In July, Francona estimated he’d undergone at least 45 procedures at the Cleveland Clinic.

In 2021, Francona underwent surgery for a painful toe problem that also involved a staph infection, then had a hip replacement. Francona missed the final 63 games as bench coach DeMarlo Hale took over.

In 2020, Francona managed only 14 games, dealing with a blood-clotting issue and a gastrointestinal problem that forced first base coach Sandy Alomar to replace him.

Seeing Francona in the dugout with a big chaw of Double Bubble for 162 games this season was a major milestone.

“Really happy for him. He is among the toughest people I know,” Guardians President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti said Thursday. “He continues to have to persevere and battle. He was going to do everything he possibly could to make it through this year.”

Guardians four-time All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez has had only Francona as his manager and isn’t surprised that Francona led the youngest team in baseball to a 92-70 record.

May 19, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) celebrates his RBI single with manager Terry Francona (77) in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) celebrates his RBI single with manager Terry Francona (77) in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Deals key for Guardians:How the AL Central champion Guardians were built: Key trades, player development success

Guardians' Francona perseveres:'The Tito Suite': Guardians manager Terry Francona laughs off lingering health issues

“I know I'm biased … but from what I've seen in the league, I feel like he is unique,” Ramirez said through an interpreter. “The way he treats me, the way he treats other players, it's very unique and very important to the type of leader he is.

“It's been really impressive what he's done this year. I feel really happy for him after what he's been through. It's really exciting to have him for the playoffs and I think it's going to be very important for what we're going to do.”

As one of Francona’s closest friends, Cash had more personal insight on Francona’s health problems.

“I’m glad he’s healthy, that’s for sure. I’m glad he’s doing better,” Cash said Thursday. “He’s got so many people in the game that care about him that a lot of relationships probably got better because we were constantly checking on him.”

Francona said he doesn’t always pick up the phone to call Cash in the middle of the season. To that, Cash retorted, “He doesn’t have time … what was he doing? We talked.”

Francona said he hears from Cash more when something funny or stupid happens.

Asked for an example, Francona brought up a mistake by former Guardians catcher Carlos Santana from when he and Cash were recently reminiscing.

“He mentioned my first year Santana was catching and Santana had back-picked in a situation that I didn’t think was very good,” Francona said. “I had my arm around him and I said, ‘Now Carlos, this is why we don’t do this.’ [Cash] looked at me and goes, ‘Do you remember when I did that in Boston? You put your arm around me and you said, ‘Dumbass, if you ever do that again. ...’”

Antonetti said the Tito and Cash dynamic “is a hard relationship to describe.”

“But despite all the joking around and antics, there is a mutual respect and admiration,” Antonetti said. “I know they care deeply about each other and they’re both incredible competitors. So for these however many games they play, they’re going to be focused on beating the other one, but after that it goes back to that friendship.

“They’re almost like brothers with how close they are.”

Asked if he considers Francona like an older brother, Cash couched his feelings and practically dragged out the scooter again.

“No, I consider him a child,” Cash said. “Like a young toddler.”

Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians vs. Rays AL Wild Card Series has battle of manager friends