BOSTON -- When Red Sox manager John Farrell began his chemotherapy treatment for Stage 1 lymphoma on Tuesday morning, he had a longtime friend at his side in Tribe skipper Terry Francona.
Francona, who had Farrell serve as pitching coach on his Boston staff from 2007-10, and Cleveland bench coach Brad Mills accompanied their colleague to Massachusetts General Hospital around 7:20 a.m. And in a fashion befitting his easygoing personality, Tito tried to keep the mood as light as he could.
"I met him there," Francona said. "I told him point blank, I said, 'I'm not here as your friend.