John Patsy Francona (November 4, 1933 – February 13, 2018) was a Major League Baseball player, an outfielder and first baseman for 9 different teams.

He spent two seasons in the Browns/Baltimore Orioles' farm system (the franchise was relocated to Baltimore and renamed on September 29, 1953) before departing to serve in the U.S. Army for two years.

[3] He returned with a vengeance, hitting two home runs in a game for the first time in his career on May 19 against the Kansas City Athletics,[4] raising his season average to an even .300 in the process.

After which, he, Ray Moore and Billy Goodman were dealt to the Chicago White Sox for Larry Doby, Jack Harshman and Jim Marshall[5] (Chicago later sent pitcher Russ Heman to Baltimore as part of this deal when it was discovered by the Orioles that Harshman was suffering from a slipped disc).

After going five-for-nine with a home run in a June 7 doubleheader with the New York Yankees, Francona replaced Jim Piersall as Cleveland's starting center fielder.

For the season, he batted .363 with a career high 20 home runs and 79 RBIs to help the Indians to an 89–65 record and second place in the American League.

Francona was shifted to left field when the Indians acquired Kuenn for home run leader Rocky Colavito just prior to the start of the 1960 season.

On March 26, 1961, Francona hit a home run during a spring training exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox at Hi Corbett Field.

When John C. Cota, a city parks employee, went to retrieve the ball, he discovered the body of Fred Victor Burden, who was wanted by Tucson, Arizona police in connection with the shooting death of former prize fighter James Cocio.

For the season, he batted .301 with sixteen home runs, 85 RBIs and led American League Left Fielders in Fielding Percentage.

The Indians acquired All-Star Leon Wagner to play left field prior to the 1964 season, so Francona split time between right and first base.

[14] The World Series champions were already set in their corner outfield positions and at first base; Francona was acquired strictly to strengthen their bench.