The first time Terry Francona met Brent Suter was in November at the Joe Nuxhall Miracle Ball in Fairfield.

“I didn’t realize he was part of the entertainment,” the first-year Cincinnati Reds manager said.

Advertisement

Suter, the Reds bullpen lefty by way of Moeller High and Harvard, has made almost as much of a name for himself in the clubhouse with impersonations as he has on the mound with a career 3.45 ERA.

Cincinnati Reds fall to San Francisco Giants, 6-4

So when Francona watched Suter rip through his impressive playlist, including that spot-on Harry Caray, the first response was immediate.

“About 10 minutes into it I’m (freaking) on the floor,” Francona said.

The second response took another second or two to sink in.

“Then I’m thinking to myself ‘Why are you laughing? Because in about another week, he’s going to be doing you,’“ Francona said.

Advertisement

It wasn’t much longer than that.

Even quicker was building a “great” relationship with the manager through constant visits to Francona’s office in spring training, Suter said.

“I’m in there all the time,” Suter said. “Just to keep getting knowledge from him, getting stories from him. Just the clarity with which he sees things and spreads wisdom in his speeches — and he’s so genuine with his excitement and his passion for us and for us getting as good as we can get.

“It’s been amazing man. He’s a Hall of Famer for a reason.”

As the Reds open the season, Suter’s budding relationship with Francona underscores one of the super powers of the new manager, the kind of relationship-building powers that players past and present talk about.

Advertisement

“Definitely a culture changer,” former Red Sox MVP Dustin Pedroia said. “He treats you with respect. He understands what you’re going through. He’s done it as a player, as a coach, a manager. Every part of the game. So he gets what the everyday player is going through, or a pitcher. You appreciate that as a player.”

Said Suter: “He brings people together.”

It’s one big similarity between the manager and Suter, who made sure the two of them got to know each other well.

“I might be the exception to the rule,” Suter said of being a pitcher who spends so much time in the manager’s office – which he also did with previous managers David Bell, Bud Black and  Craig Counsell.

Advertisement

“He came in like 18 (freaking) times,” Francona said.

Suter: “I’ve always tried to go into a manager’s office and just pick their brains and grow as a person from that.”

And?

“They’re great leaders of men,” Suter said. “They can see the game clearly. Great motivators.”

And?

Come on. We all know the other (real?) reason.

The mannerisms? The inflection?

“That’s part of it, too, for sure. Especially early,” Suter said. “I was definitely trying to match pitch.”

And it worked.

Just ask Francona.

“When we had the Reds Got Talent thing,” Francona said of the annual spring competition among players and coaches, “he came out one day as (third base coach) J.R. House, one day as me, and I actually had to take my glasses off because I was laughing so hard. I laughed so hard my (freaking) side hurt.

Advertisement

“He’s got the hands, everything. He’s beautiful.”

It wasn’t enough to get Suter the big win in the competition. This year’s trophy was shared in a three-way top finish by top prospect Chase Burns, assistant hitting coach Will Remillard and catcher Michael Trautwein.

But Suter definitely won over one guy in the audience.

“I’m (freaking) telling you, I’m going to adopt him,” Francona said. “He’s got more good energy than anybody I’ve ever seen. It’s unbelievable. And it’s legit.”

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona wants to 'adopt' Brent Suter