Terry Francona was ready to get ejected from Reds’ spring game to watch his Wildcats

Hardcore Arizona Wildcats fan Terry Francona, whose side hustle is managing the Cincinnati Reds, was caught in a predicament Monday afternoon.

The Reds were hosting the Chicago Cubs, the pace was dragging and the manager had somewhere to be later in the day.

He, Cincinnati general manager Brad Meador and assistant bench coach Mike Napoli had tickets for the No. 2 Wildcats’ hosting of No. 6 Iowa State in Tucson. During a midgame interview of his Cactus League battle against Chicago, Francona admitted he had concepts of a plan to make sure he didn’t miss a quick flight to attend.

Tito joked he might get tossed if this game doesn’t move along faster. 🤣

Him, Brad Meador, and Mike Napoli are heading to the Arizona – Iowa State game later tonight.

pic.twitter.com/A7xiJmozkA

— Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) March 2, 2026

“We know you’re a college hoops fan and you love your alma mater in the Wildcats. Did you have a Final Four prediction?” Francona was asked.

“Guys, I love them enough where me, Nap and Brad Meador, we’re jumping on a plane right when this game is over and we’re going down to that game tonight,” the skipper said. “And if this game has the pace it has right now, you might see me get tossed in the eighth.”

The Reds and Cubs combined for 26 runs, but the spring game that started at 1:06 p.m. officially was over within three hours. And sure enough, Francona made it on time to see Arizona beat Iowa State, 73-57. He even got a shout from ESPN’s broadcasters, Boog Sciambi and Fran Fraschilla.

“There he is: Terry Francona, Cincinnati Reds manager and a proud Arizona Wildcat,” Sciambi said. “He was part of the team that won the College World Series, 1980, and he was the most outstanding player. Tito also won the Golden Spikes award that year. He loves Arizona basketball.”

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