Few Penn baseball players are drafted by Major League Baseball teams and an even smaller number of players are drafted before they set foot on Murphy Field.
In the 2004 draft, two Penn players were taken. Brian Winings was drafted in the 48th round by the Cleveland Indians. But Winings had never played beside the other Penn player taken.
Eight rounds earlier, Nick Francona, a senior from the Lawrenceville (N.J.) School was drafted by the Red Sox, nine months before playing his first game with the Quakers.
Nick has a tremendous baseball pedigree that began two generations before him. His grandfather Tito had a journeyman's career that took him to nine different teams between 1956 and 1970. His grandfather played first base and outfield, was an All Star in 1961, and finished fifth in the MVP voting in 1959.
Nick's father Terry also played first base and outfield. Terry's career had promising beginnings, as he was a first-round pick, 22nd overall by the Expos in 1980. Terry played for five teams between 1981 and 1991, with a career .274 batting average.
Yet Terry's fame has not been earned in the batter's box, but in the dugout. Terry began his managerial career with the Phillies in 1997. Last year, he took over bench duties in Boston with the Red Sox, leading them to their first World Series championship in 86 years.
However, Nick is not afraid to set his own trail. Though he is the progeny of two generations of hitters, Nick has developed into a promising pitcher.
The southpaw has also not let his father's fame and success get in the way of leading a normal and independent life.
"I try not to let it affect me," Nick said.
Being the manager of the Red Sox, one might think that Terry also plays coach for his son. However, that is far from the case. Terry has intentionally stayed out the coaching aspect for Nick.
"I'm his Dad, not his coach," Terry said. "I care more about shaping his life."
Yet Terry and Nick certainly discuss baseball a lot -- just not necessarily technique and skills development. The two talk frequently, especially after Nick's games.
"We've talked almost every day," Terry said. "The advice I give is to hang in there -- to be a good teammate." Terry believes that these conversations are just like the ones he experienced with his father.
Nick spoke of these conversations in the same light. "More recently he has given me advice on the way to approach the game on the day-to-day basis," Nick said. "The grind."
Terry wants Nick and his three younger siblings to be good people more than good athletes. He emphasized that he tries to impart values and respect for other people.
While Nick certainly takes the advice of his father to heart, he is loathe to give advice back to his father. Nick also respects the professionalism of the Red Sox club and tries not to distract the players and coaches with his own wishes and questions.
Being the son of a manager does have its perks though. When Nick goes to Red Sox games he has the choice of sitting in the stands or the clubhouse. He also has the unique opportunity to learn from the pros.
"They're pretty busy, so I try not take anything away from them," Nick said. But at the same time, "players do help me with little things."
Terry is happy to let Nick learn through osmosis. When he has the opportunity to hang around the team, he learns a lot, especially from watching the Red Sox left-handers, like Alan Embree.
Unfortunately, it is not as easy for Terry to come to his son's games as it is for Nick to follow his father. Terry generally is able to attend just one game a year.
Nick admits that he is a Red Sox fan, but adds a caveat to his fandom, "I want my Dad to have a job."
Yet his allegiances could change with the signature on his father's paycheck.
"He's been with so many teams," Nick said. "You grow accustomed to the people you meet, not the color of the jersey."
Nick was certainly excited to be drafted, admitting that baseball is the career path he wants to follow, whether it is on the field or in a front office.
Since he knows that he may not have a future as a major league pitcher, he has taken stock in his education as well.
"I knew once I was admitted to Wharton, I would come here anyway," Nick said. "It wasn't feasible at the time to go through with [playing professionally]."
Nick's first season with the Quakers was not spectacular. The lefthander went 0-1 with a 5.91 ERA in six starts. He struck out 29 in 35 innings over his nine appearances but surrendered 49 hits.
Terry knows that his son is not ready for the majors, but is nonetheless thrilled that Nick was selected in the draft.
"I was proud," Terry said. "I know the Red Sox did it to make me feel proud."
