Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona during the annual team picture day at the Cincinnati Reds Player Development Complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Terry Francona Hitting the Road for Spring Training for One Reason: 'I'm a F-----g Red'

Originally posted on Cincinnati Reds on SI
By James Rapien | Last updated Feb 20, 2025 12:28 PM ET

Reds will play their first games of spring training on Saturday. They have split-squad action against the Brewers and the Guardians.

Reds manager Terry Francona spent 11 years in Cleveland managing the Guardians. He could reunite with plenty of familiar faces, but he passed on the opportunity. He's going to manage against the Brewers in Maryvale, while Freddie Benavides stays in Goodyear to manage against the Guardians.

"These games need to be about the players. It's just not the right time to have a hug fest," Francona told reporters on Thursday. "I want these guys to know how important they are. I'm a f------g Red and so I'm gonna go over to Maryvale.”

Francona is in his first season with the Reds. He was hired in October.

The "I'm a f-----g Red" line is going to be popular among the fan base this season and beyond.

Terry Francona says he will take the split squad on the road in Maryville vs. Milwaukee Saturday while Freddie Benavides will stay back and manage the split squad game against Cleveland in Goodyear. His explanation is classic Tito “You know what, these games need to be about the…
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) February 20, 2025