Cincinnati Reds Land Legendary Skipper Terry Francona

Carsyn Crouch, Nati Sports

Terry Francona, after recently stepping down from managing the Cleveland Guardians due to health concerns, is now set to take over as the new manager of the Cincinnati Reds. This decision comes as a bit of a surprise, given his departure from Cleveland, but his proven track record and ability to nurture young players make him a strong choice for the Reds, a team filled with emerging talent. His leadership is expected to bring a positive impact to their development. His history is down below.

1. Philadelphia Phillies (1997–2000)

• Tenure: Francona’s first managerial stint in MLB was with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he managed from 1997 to 2000.
• Performance: His tenure in Philadelphia wasn’t particularly successful, as the team struggled through a rebuilding phase, and Francona’s Phillies teams never finished with a winning record. He was dismissed after the 2000 season.

2. Boston Red Sox (2004–2011)

• Tenure: Francona’s most prominent and successful managerial role came with the Boston Red Sox, where he managed from 2004 to 2011.
• Key Achievements:
  • World Series Titles: Francona guided the Red Sox to two World Series championships, in 2004 and 2007.
    • The 2004 World Series title was particularly historic, as it ended the franchise’s 86-year championship drought (known as the “Curse of the Bambino”).
  • 2004 ALCS Comeback: One of the most memorable moments in Francona’s career was the 2004 ALCS, when the Red Sox came back from a 3-0 series deficit to defeat the New York Yankees in seven games. This remains one of the most famous comebacks in sports history.
  • Consistency: During his eight seasons in Boston, Francona’s teams were consistently competitive, making five postseason appearances.
• End of Tenure: After the 2011 season, which ended with a historic September collapse, Francona and the Red Sox parted ways. There were reports of friction and concerns about clubhouse discipline, but Francona remains beloved by Red Sox fans for his role in ending the championship drought.

3. Cleveland Guardians (2013–2023)

• Tenure: In 2013, Francona became the manager of the Cleveland Guardians (formerly Indians).
• Key Achievements:
  • 2016 World Series: Francona led Cleveland to the 2016 World Series, where they came within one game of winning the championship but lost to the Chicago Cubs in seven games. Like Boston’s 2004 win, the Cubs’ victory also ended a long title drought (108 years).
  • Manager of the Year: Francona won American League Manager of the Year awards twice during his time with Cleveland, in 2013 and 2016.
  • Consistency: Francona helped the Guardians remain competitive, with multiple playoff appearances during his tenure.
• End of Tenure: After managing Cleveland for 11 years, Francona stepped down following the 2023 season. Health issues had been a factor in his decision, as he had dealt with various medical problems during his time with the Guardians.

How happy should Reds fans be? FIRED UP.