FanHouse Tobacco

Back in March we first told you about Red Sox skipper Terry Francona's attempt to kick the chewing tobacco habit -- he made a $20,000 bet with team president Larry Lucchino that he could do it this season, with the winner donating money to charity. How's Francona doing? From the Boston Globe:

"Terrible," said Francona. "I'm miserable.

"I almost went off the boat in the second Yankee game in the fifth inning. I made it, but I'm hanging by a thread. There are about six players who want me to start doing it again. I guess I'm getting a little crabby. Hanging in, but barely."

Back in spring training, Francona said how difficult it was to stop. Now that the pressure of the season has started, it hasn't been any easier. He used to love to roll the tobacco around a wad of gum and place it in his cheek. It's been a brutally difficult habit to break.

"That's why I'm not patting myself on the back," Francona said. "How many games have we played? Eighteen? Oh, [expletive]. Made it through spring training, but when they throw balls, it doesn't matter. It's going to be hard. I'm going to keep trying, but it's hard."

Francona admitted to trying to quit just about every year he's managed, but (assuming he doesn't fall off the wagon tonight) this will be the first time he's made it through April 25. He still allows himself an occasional cigar but says he has the most trouble right around 6:30, which is when he'd ordinarily partake in his first wad of chew

If he's struggling so much through just 18 games, does he really stand a chance at 162? I guess we'll have to wait and see, but either way, kudos to him for holding out this long.

(via Ben Maller)

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Previously on FanHouse:
Terry Francona Admits to Gambling (But In a Good Way)

We all know how Bud Selig feels about gambling in the clubhouse, but I think he'll probably be willing to look the other way in Boston this year. From the Boston Globe:

[Red Sox manager] Francona is trying to quit his smokeless tobacco habit and has agreed to a bet with [team president Larry] Lucchino. If Francona lasts the year without chewing, Lucchino donates $20,000 to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. If Francona fails, he's on the hook for $20,000 to a charity to be named.

From what I understand, quitting smokeless tobacco can be harder than cigarettes -- especially for ballplayers and managers who are used to having a big wad of chew in their mouths for a few hours every night during the game. But the threat of cancer is very real, and when it hits, it hits hard, often disfiguring the face. So here's to Francona winning this one.

Ironically, the news of the wager was tacked onto the bottom of an article about Jon Lester, who's returning this spring after being diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma last August. After being treated all winter, Lester's cancer is fortunately in remission. He may need a few extra weeks in spring training after the season starts to build up his endurance, but he's already regained enough weight to be back to where he was before the diagnosis.