Francona Will Accompany Farrell To Chemo Treatment

(Associated Press) - Cleveland manager Terry Francona said he plans to
accompany his longtime friend - Red Sox manager John Farrell - to
his first chemotherapy treatment for lymphoma on Tuesday.

''We were just talking and I was asking questions, the normal
questions, and he mentioned he was going to start Tuesday,''
Francona said Monday before the Indians opened a three-game series
at Boston.

''I was like, man, I'm right there,'' he said. ''I'll met you there
or go there, whatever. I may not do anything but get in the way
like normal, but being a friend, the only thing I know how to do is
be a friend. We all don't know exactly how to handle this, but I do
know how to be a friend and I care a lot.''

Farrell announced last Friday that he has a ''highly curable'' form
of cancer and is taking a medical leave for the rest of the season.

Francona, who managed Boston from 2004-11, had Farrell as his
pitching coach for the 2007 World Series champions.

Farrell worked under Francona from 2007-10. Francona said the two
became friends when they played together for the Indians in 1988.

Francona's decision to accompany Farrell was first reported by NESN.

Cleveland opens a three-game series at Boston on Monday night.