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Perfect 10: Francona excelled on field before becoming coach

Nationally, Terry Francona is known more for who he managed than where he went to college.

Long before he managed the Boston Red Sox to two World Series titles in four years, the man they call “Tito” was writing his name in the Arizona Wildcats’ record book.

He hit .321 as a freshman and .378 as a sophomore, when he set a still-standing school record with 35 multi-hit games.

Francona led the Wildcats to a 1980 College World Series championship as a junior. His stat line — a .401 batting average, nine home runs, 84 RBIs, 28 stolen bases, 64 runs scored, 26 doubles and an .