Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona stirred the pot with a smug jab at the Kansas City Royals. “Royals think they’re on some big streak—Reds’ll end that fairy tale tomorrow,” he quipped after practice. Set for March 21 at 1:05 PM PDT in Goodyear, the game’s now a battleground after Royals manager Matt Quatraro unleashed a scorching comeback that’s got fans buzzing.
Francona, 65, oozed confidence. “Kansas City’s cute run—over by lunch,” he smirked, poking at the Royals’ 11-8 Spring Training mark (web ID: 13). Fresh off a 2024 playoff season (86-76), Kansas City’s won three straight, including a 12-1 romp over Arizona (web ID: 0). The Reds, at 9-10, lean on Elly De La Cruz and Nick Lodolo, but Francona’s Reds fell 77-85 last year (web ID: 7). His sarcasm—echoing his 2017 Cleveland swagger (web ID: 6)—hit Quatraro like a fastball.
Quatraro, 51, didn’t flinch. “Terry’s flapping his gums from a team that’s been irrelevant for a decade,” he fired back at 1:58 AM PDT. “He’s got two rings collecting dust while we’re building a winner. Bring your Reds—we’ll bury ‘em.” Quatraro’s Royals, with Bobby Witt Jr. at .400 and Michael Wacha rolling, don’t scare easy. After taking Kansas City from 56-106 in 2022 to playoffs in his second year (web ID: 13), he’s not here for Francona’s shade.
Fans on X erupted. “Quatraro just torched him—Royals roll!” a Kansas City fan cheered. A Reds supporter snapped, “Tito’s a legend—Matt’s a nobody!” Francona’s 2004 Boston title and 22-game streak with Cleveland dwarf Quatraro’s resume, but the Royals’ 2024 surge has bite—unlike Cincinnati’s post-Bell flop (web ID: 7). “Terry’s living off old glory,” Quatraro sneered. “We’re the now—Reds are yesterday.”
Tomorrow’s no snooze. Francona, back after a 2023 health hiatus (web ID: 5), loves a verbal spar—his Red Sox rallied from 3-0 down (web ID: 18). Quatraro, a rookie skipper in ‘23, turned doubters into believers with Witt, Salvador Pérez, and a tight staff. Lodolo vs. Wacha sets the stage—will Cincinnati snap the streak, or Kansas City shove it back? “He’ll eat those words,” Quatraro vowed.
Opening Day’s close—March 27, Reds vs. Giants, Royals vs. Orioles (web ID: 7). This spring spat’s a taste of both managers’ grit. Francona’s “fairy tale” dig might fuel a Royals rout—or backfire if Reds steal it. “We don’t back down,” Quatraro said, eyes locked on tomorrow. Fans are picking sides—baseball’s better when tempers flare.
