Terry Francona wins 2,000th game as manager, Reds go to All-Star break on a high

Yahoo

18-07-2025

The Cincinnati Reds' final game ahead of the All-Star break saw history made at Great American Ball Park.
The Reds' 4-2 victory against the Colorado Rockies saw Cincinnati's Terry Francona earn the 2,000th victory of his managerial career before a crowd of 24,541 on Sunday, July 13.
Francona burnished his career resume as he became the 13th manager in MLB history to reach the 2,000-win threshold.
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"Some of those names up there are like baseball royalty," Francona said. "I'm the − if there's an adjective for 'baseball lifer,' it's me. I'm not overly smart. I'm a second-semester freshman at Arizona still. I love the game, probably too much, and I hope, I hope I treat the players like you're supposed to because that's what I always try to do."
After the final out, Francona's players hugged him as they came off the field. Closer Emilio Pagán said he safeguarded the ball used for the final out and then personally ensured Francona received it, partly so that he didn't have the burden of being responsible for the artifact.
A short celebration occurred in the Reds' clubhouse immediately following the game, and Francona described his reaction to it as emotional.
Later, Reds Principal Owner Bob Castellini was seen in the clubhouse and he entered the off-clubhouse media room to watch Francona's post-game remarks.
"It's not often that I get a little choked up and that hit me pretty hard," Francona said. "This is a good place. There's a lot of good people here. This is a good place. Actually, let me amend that. It's a great place."
The box score will reflect that Nick Martinez was the winning pitcher for Francona's historic victory. Martinez was well aware.
"Very special for me. Got a copy of the lineup card," Martinez said. "It'll be hung up in my house. Yeah, very special for me."
Pagán, a player Francona entrusted with much responsibility in 2025, recorded the final out of the milestone.
"Wade (Miley) was giving me a hard time," Pagán said. "He was like, 'you know, he's probably going in the Hall of Fame and forever, when they play his 2,000th victory you're gonna be in that highlight.' I didn't think about it like that as I was running in. If I would have, I probably would have been a little more nervous. It's super-cool."
Francona insisted afterward he hadn't thought much about his forthcoming 2,000th win, nor had he widely discussed it as it approached, even as some of the biggest figures in and around the game, former players, peers and others prepared for his achievement.
"I'm so glad that we won today. I'm telling you, that's the way that I'm built," Francona said. "I wanted us to win so bad today. I wanted us to win so bad yesterday. It's gonna happen again Friday (July 18)."
An ordinary, flawed game helped produce Francona's extraordinary feat. For the second day in a row, a Rockies fielding error resulted in the game-winning run for Cincinnati. It was a comeback win, and the Reds need wins of all varieties to buoy their playoff hopes.
Ahead of the Rockies series, Francona implored his players to push through the weekend and not cede any of their hard-earned progress up to that point. The Reds dropped the series opener Friday, July 11, but salvaged the last two games to enter the All-Star break on a winning note.
The victory also allowed Cincinnati to reach 50 wins by the All-Star break for the first time since 2023. When the Reds resume the regular season following the break, they'll do so with a 50-47 record and as a real player in the race for the postseason.
The Reds are only 2 1/2 games back of the San Diego Padres, who own the third National League Wild Card spot. The Chicago Cubs won their 57th game Sunday and are 7 1/2 games ahead of the Reds in the NL Central.
"You hopefully play yourself into a position where, when you show up at the ballpark you get a little nervous," Francona said. "Like, that's fun. Like, you've got a little anxiety. To me, that's what this is all about. We've really got to push but I still think our better days are ahead of us and I think it'll be very exciting.
"The best way I know how to do better is to win Friday (July 18). That's the best formula."
The next time players in Reds uniforms are in action will be in the MLB All-Star Game Tuesday, July 15, as Elly De La Cruz and Andrew Abbott will represent the club at the Atlanta Braves' Truist Park.
Cincinnati will pick up regular-season play Friday after the All-Star break with three-game series on the road against the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals. The Reds' next home game at Great American Ball Park is scheduled for July 25. The game that day against Tampa Bay will commence what is officially considered a nine-game homestand against the Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers and Braves.
The final game of the Braves series (Saturday, Aug. 2) is the Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. The Reds will be considered the home team fot the game.
Cincinnati will then dive into a stretch of games primarily against NL Central opposition. The Reds will travel to the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field (Aug. 4-6) followed by four games at Pittsburgh's PNC Park (Aug. 7-10). After hosting the Philadelphia Phillies for three games (Aug. 11-13), Cincinnati will welcome the Milwaukee Brewers back to "GABP" for the final time in 2025 (Aug. 15-17).
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Terry Francona wins 2,000th game as manager, Reds to All-Star break on a high