Arizona alum Terry Francona is expected to take over managerial duties for the Cleveland Indians. Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Terry Francona ended one team’s World Series futility. Now he’s gunning for another’s.

The Associated Press is reporting that the University of Arizona alum will sign on to manage the Cleveland Indians next season. An official announcement is expected Monday.

Francona is somewhat of a folk hero in Boston where, in 2004, he guided the Red Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years. Tito went 744-522 in eight seasons as skipper of the BoSox, the best winning percentage ever among Boston managers. But things turned sour at the end of the 2011 season amid player turmoil and Francona was unceremoniously given his walking papers.

Prior to that, he managed the Philadelphia Phillies from 1997-2000. All told, he joins the Tribe with a 1,029-915 record.

The Indians haven’t won a World Series since beating the Boston (ironically) Braves in the 1948 Fall Classic. Cleveland finished the season 68-94, despite being in first place as late as July.

Francona’s father — the real Tito Francona — played for the Tribe from 1959-64.

Former Wildcat Shelley Duncan either diving for a fly ball during spring training or doing a celebratory "worm" because he's traveling north to Cleveland to begin the season as the Indians' starting left fielder. Jake Roth - US PRESSWIRE

Spring has Sprung…

The Grass has Ris…

I Wonder Where the Wildcats is?

Turns out, they’re all over the diamonds of the United States as the boys of summer begin the annual trek that stretches from spring for all and - for the best of the best - lasts all the way to the fall.

In simpler terms, baseball is back.

And while 67 former University of Arizona ballplayers have graced the Major Leagues between 1921 and opening day 2012, 15 of them have played for the Cleveland Indians. All told, the Tribe has drafted 25 ex-Cats.

This year’s Indians squad features two Arizona alums, Shelley Duncan and Jason Donald, and will likely see Trevor Crowe rejoin the team when the club deems him Big League-ready after an injury sidelined him for the majority of 2011. Pitchers Preston Guilmet and Eric Berger await in Double-A while Dwight Childs catches for their Single-A Carolina Mudcats’ team. In December, the Tribe sent Cory Burns, who led the Double-A level with 35 saves last season, back to Tucson, where he is now the closer for the San Diego Padres‘ Triple-A squad (also known as the Padres).

The next closest franchise to draft that many Wildcats is the St. Louis Cardinals, who have taken 13 UA alums on draft days.

Perhaps it’s because the Indians once called Tucson’s Hi Corbett Field — the Wildcats’ current home digs — their spring training stomping grounds for 45 years, concluding in 1992.

Or perhaps the UA has a Cleveland talent scout in their back pocket. Most likely, it’s a coincidental luck of the draw.

Some quick Wildcat-MLB tidbits:

- The Houston Astros, Oakland/Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees have each had nine ex-Cats don their respective uniforms.

- Former Wildcats have played for defunct teams such as the St. Louis Browns, Montreal Expos and Washington Senators, but not the current franchise the Tampa Rays. Although, the Rays did try, selecting Joe Little in the 2003 draft.

- Five players have played for both the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees.

- Kenny Lofton has played for the same amount of Big League teams as Wildcat alums Casey Candaele, Lum Davenport, Chip Hale, Hank Leiber, Trevor Hoffman combined – players who has decent careers.

See this year’s current Wildcats in the Big Leagues and read some more Arizona alumnus opening day quirks here.

Proof I had the perfect confluence of “no life” and “pent-up nervous adrenaline” last night:

WILDCATS WHO MADE THE SHOW

(Scroll down further for Wildcats by team)

PLAYERS
BRIAN ANDERSON: Red Sox, White Sox
GEORGE ARIAS: Angels, Padres
DAVE BALDWIN: Brewers, Senators, White Sox
STEVE BARBER: Twins
GREG BARGAR: Cardinals, Expos
TOM BARRETT: Phillies, Red Sox
JASON BATES: Rockies
KEVIN BLANKENSHIP: Braves, Cubs
JORDAN BROWN: Indians
CASEY CANDAELE: Astros, Expos, Indians
(more…)

Trevor Crowe, Jason Donald and Shelley Duncan played in a mere 130 games combined last season for the Cleveland Indians, but it could come as no surprise if the trio were among the most popular players in the Tribe’s spring training camp this March.

After all, the triumvirate first made a name for themselves at the University of Arizona, some 130 miles south of the Indians’ spring home in Goodyear.

Crowe, Donald and Duncan are among 32 ex-Wildcats playing or coaching professional ball when the boys of summer return to the diamond this week (Japan games excluded).

And while seven of the 32 play in the Indians’ organization (Cleveland: Old Pueblo North?) there are former Wildcats spread throughout the country ready to feast on fastballs, over-anxious hitters and the promise that arrives every year with the freshly cut grass and crisp white chalk lines of spring. Baseball is back and ballplayers everywhere are bearing down.

AN OPENING DAY GUIDE TO ARIZONA ALUMS:

THE PLAYERS

TREVOR CROWE

Cleveland Indians, OF

Final year at the UA: 2005

Rich Pilling - Getty Images

Crowe returns to the diamond after shoulder surgery limited him to 15 games last season.

He only saw 13 plate appearances this spring, but made the most of them, hitting .358 and swiping two bases.

Despite limited success, the outfielder will start the year in extended spring training.

Was the final out in Detroit Tigers’ pitcher Armando Galarraga’s notorious one-hit shutout in 2010.

R, H, HR, RBI, AVG

2011: 6, 6, 0, .214

CAREER: 76, 160, 3, 55, .245

We’re gonna give this guy an extra million, he really moves the runner over and gets his bunts down. #thingsyouneverhere

— Trevor Crowe (@tcrowe4) March 28, 2012

JASON DONALD

Cleveland Indians, INF

Rich Pilling - Getty Images

Final year at the UA: 2006

Donald, thanks to a .291 spring batting average, made the Indians’ opening-day roster as a reserve infielder.

Although listed as a shortstop, the Tribe will use Donald to fill needs anywhere in their infield, likely seeing the most time at third base.

Was dubiously called safe at first, ending Detroit Tigers’ pitcher Armando Galarraga’s perfect game bid in 2010.

R, H, HR, RBI, AVG

2011: 13, 42, 1, 8, .318

CAREER: 52, 117, 5, 32, .273

SHELLEY DUNCAN

Cleveland Indians, OF

Final year at the UA: 2001

Rich Pilling - Getty Images

With 5 home runs this spring, it appears that Duncan has earned the Tribe’s starting left field nod.

He slugged 11 dingers in each of the last two seasons, and could be poised to finally have a breakout year if he can surpass his previous-high of 229 at bats in a season.

Duncan is one of two active former Wildcats, the other being Houston Astros manager Brad Mills to win a World Series ring. Championship jewelry is in no short supply in the Duncan family, however, as Shelley (’09 Yankees) his brother Chris (’06 Cardinals) and father Dave (’72 and ’89 A’s, ’06 and ’11 Cardinals) have all earned World Series rings.

R, H, HR, RBI, AVG

2011: 29, 58, 11, 47, .260

CAREER: 82, 143, 30, 107, .239

Great day today at the ballpark. Was pumped all day having Dad there. Got to see us win with our pitchers having a strong day. #bullpenmafia

— Shelley Duncan (@shelldunc) March 13, 2012

NICK HUNDLEY

Rich Pilling - Getty Images

San Diego Padres, C

Final year at the UA: 2005

He has similar batting stats through age 27 as fellow backstop Jorge Posada, according to BaseballReference.com.

The catcher’s most dubious mark to date came in 2009 when he led the NL with seven passed balls.

R, H, HR, RBI, AVG

2011: 34, 81, 9, 29, .288

CAREER: 111, 257, 30, 126, .255

DUNCAN vs. HUNDLEY: Shelley Duncan and Nick Hundley each have 30 career home runs. The first to go deep this season will become the active leader among ex-Wildcats.

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