GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- John Patsy "Tito" Francona, the father of Indians manager Terry Francona and a veteran of 15 Major League seasons, died Tuesday night at his home in New Brighton, Pa. He was 84.
Francona spent six seasons with the Indians from 1959-64, nearly winning a batting crown in a memorable '59 campaign and earning a spot on the American League All-Star team in '61. He also had stops with the Braves, Cardinals, A's, Orioles, Phillies, Tigers, Brewers and White Sox.
Cleveland acquired Francona from the White Sox on March 21, 1959, in exchange for future Hall of Famer Larry Doby.