Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona and Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein are in the middle of a tightly-contested World Series battle against each other. But that’s not stopping the two old friends from engaging in some light banter on the side.
In an appearance on The Spiegel & Goff Show on 670 The Score on Friday, Epstein, who worked with Francona for eight years in Boston, said that he was recently texted by Francona, who jokingly asked him to exert more caution with Kyle Schwarber.
“He texted me, ‘You guys should really be a little more cautious with Schwarber and his knee — I don’t think he needs to play again this series,’” Epstein said, per CBS Local. “So I texted him back we’d be that cautious with Schwarber as soon as he understood that [Corey] Kluber and [Andrew] Miller have a lot of innings and need to throw next year, so he should probably shut them down as soon as possible.”
Schwarber, who tore two ligaments in his knee back in April, has been a major difference-maker since being activated by the Cubs for the World Series, collecting three hits and two RBIs in the first two games of the series. But he hasn’t been medically cleared to play in the field and will be limited to pinch-hitting duties in the DH-less Games 3, 4, and 5 of the World Series, meaning Francona will get his wish to an extent. While Epstein may not get the same with regard to Kluber and Miller, it’s still nice to see the old pals keeping things friendly in the heat of championship battle.
