Francona: Shapiro 'thoughtful' in sharing news
Manager says 'happiness outweighs' how much executive will be missed
TORONTO -- Terry Francona says he's sad to see Mark Shapiro go, but he's happy the longtime Indians president has found a new challenge with the Blue Jays.
"He spoke to the coaches yesterday and was really, like Mark always [is], thoughtful," the Indians' manager said ahead of the series opener against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
Shapiro announced earlier Monday that he'd be leaving the Indians, with whom he'd been since 1991, to take over the Blue Jays' president and CEO position at the end of the season, when Paul Beeston retires.
Francona said the move didn't come as a shock to anyone "in the loop," but that didn't make things any less emotional when Shapiro met with the coaching staff Sunday.
"It got a little emotional but it was really, really nice," he said. "I think the happiness for Mark outweighs how much we're going to miss him."
Shapiro and Francona have a working relationship that dates back to 2001, when the latter joined the Tribe as a special assistant. That's given Francona almost 15 years worth of insight into the executive the Blue Jays are acquiring. Francona characterized Shapiro first and foremost as "intelligent."
"He takes that intelligence and he's really driven and organized, and you take it with his people skills, because he cares about people more than anything else," Francona said. "It's a pretty nice combination. Anybody that he comes in contact with he's going to make better. That's how it is."
Worth nothing
• Francona said the Indians plan to activate third baseman Chris Johnson from the 15-day disabled list (left hand infection), and Gavin Floyd from the 60-day disabled list (right elbow surgery) ahead of Tuesday's game. Shawn Armstrong will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus as well.