CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Guardians have confirmed that manager Terry Francona's scooter has been recovered after it was stolen from his residence over the weekend.
One of the fun off-the-field things about the Guardians in recent years has been fans spotting Tito on his famous scooter. The manager is well-known for riding his scooter downtown, where he has resided in the past, and to ballgames.
The scooter took center stage during the 2019 All-Star Game parade.
The manager does not request police escorts after games, preferring to wave to fans and high-five public servants on the short ride home instead.
Famously, with the Guardians in the playoffs last year, Francona was on his scooter when he was sort-of-flashed by a fan while riding home. “It got a little interesting, a little interesting,” Francona told the Akron Beacon Journal. (He was not really flashed. But he scooted away quickly to avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time with a camera rolling.)
According to a Cleveland Police report, Francona parked the scooter outside his apartment on Jan. 20 and noticed it was missing on Jan 21. As Francona still has the key, it's suspected the thief pushed or tampered with the ignition to take the scooter.
Cleveland Police and the Guardians confirm the scooter was found Tuesday night.
According to police, it was located in the 2100 block of Lakeside Avenue, which around a mile from where it was taken.
The team tweeted out "Back in Business," along with a video of Francona being reunited with his scooter.
"Back in business!"
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) January 25, 2023
Thank you to the Cleveland Police Department for helping Skip find his hog. pic.twitter.com/CUKbSB4T00
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