School retires Francona's No. 32

Ian C. Meyer Arizona Daily Wildcat Terry Francona (third from right) had his number retired yesterday during the All-Pro Alumni game at Sancet Field. Francona is the second UA athlete in school history to have his jersey retired. He was named the nation's top baseball player in 1980 and is currently the Philadelphia Phillies manager.

Only two athletes have had numbers retired in Arizona Wildcat's athletic history.

Both are number 32.

One belongs to former basketball standout Sean Elliot. The other is Terry Francona, who had his 32 retired during yesterday's All-Pro Alumni game at Sancet Field.

Francona, who was recently hired as the manager for the Philadelphia Philles, led the Wildcats to the College World Series title in 1980. That year he hit .401 with nine home runs and 84 RBI and earned the Golden Spikes Award as the nation's top baseball player. He was also named the CWS most valuable player that season.

During his three year stay at Arizona, 1978-80, the Wildcats won 130 games and finished in the top 10 nationally each year. He ended his career second on Arizona's all-time hits (271) and RBI (200).

"I am honored," Francona said. "I am trying to not make any more out of it. Sometimes you feel funny being set out from everybody, but I am happy about it."

In 1980, Francona was drafted by the Montreal Expos and played with five teams during his 10-year major league career.

After his retirement, Francona moved to coaching and quickly moved up the coaching ranks. In 1993 he lead the Chicago White Sox' Double-A team, the Birmingham Barons, to the league title and was named Baseball America's Minor League Manager of the Year. L ast season he coached third base for the Detroit Tigers.

Francona will have his work cut out for him in Philadelphia. During a recent Philadelphia 76ers basketball game, he was booed by the crowd when his name was announced.

"You are talking about a guy that has been released five times," Francona said, "I have been told that I am bad before. Until we go out and play the game the way its suppose to be played and win, they (the fans) have that right."

There will be little argument that Francona deserves his number out on the left field wall.

"What Terry did at the UA speaks for itself," Stitt said. "I was very fortunate to be his coach. I don't think I taught him a thing. He knew it all."

The Alumni beat the Wildcats 8-0. The Alumni have now won the past four games. The only highlight for the Wildcats was when junior right-hander Ryan Stoneberg struck out guest manager Paul Molitor is his only at-bat.