Francona chews on tough decision
3/4/2005 Fort Myers, FL Jeff Horrigan Boston Herald (bostonherald.com) At first glance, the change of appearance that Terry Francona has undergone this spring seems subtle. Those who pass the Red Sox manager during his second preseason in charge of the defending World Series champions might be inclined to do a double-take as they try to figure out the difference. His weight basically remains the same, he still dons a ubiquitous nylon jacket and he frankly doesn't have enough active follicles to change his hairstyle. Even though the change may have to be pointed out, the alteration in Francona's appearance is huge and, potentially, the most important one he could ever make. When the 45-year-old pulled on his uniform for the first time last month, he did so without an enormous wad of chewing tobacco planted in his cheek. After years of receiving disgusted glares and belittling letters, Francona finally heeded the advice of doctors and trainers, and acquiesced to the pleas of his family and is making an all-out effort to quit the habit. "My children hate it when I chew," he said. "They've asked me a lot of times not to do it and that's probably one of the biggest reasons I'm doing it, out of respect for them." Francona said that he rarely chewed tobacco during his playing career but he began doing so with regularity when he began managing in the minor leagues in 1992. The practice was popular throughout baseball for nearly a century but revelations [...]