Today: The Reds made things official on Friday morning, confirming they signed Francona to a three-year contract with a team option for the 2028 season.
October 3: The Reds are hiring Terry Francona as their next manager, per a report from MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The club has not yet confirmed the news, but Feinsand indicates an announcement is expected as soon as tomorrow. Per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Francona’s contract is a three-year deal.
Francona, 65, is among the most decorated managers in the league’s recent history. After a four-year stint managing the Phillies in the late 90s, Francona joined the Red Sox as manager prior to the 2004 season and piloted the club to their curse-breaking World Series championship in 2004. He went on to spend eight seasons in Boston, making the postseason in five of those years (including another World Series championship in 2007) while never posting a below-.500 season. He parted ways with the Red Sox prior to the 2011 season, however, and spent the next year away from managing with four top-5 finishes in AL Manager of the Year voting to his name in addition to a pair of World Series rings.
He returned to managing just a year after departing Boston, however, and spent the next 11 seasons in Cleveland. Francona’s tenure with the club was nothing short of magnificent, as he piloted the small-market franchise into consistent contention despite considerable payroll restrictions. During Francona’s tenure as manager, Cleveland enjoyed postseason baseball in six seasons while rattling off eight consecutive winning seasons and even reaching Game 7 of the World Series in 2016.
While the club ultimately fell to the Cubs in extra innings and was unable to capture another AL pennant during Francona’s tenure, their 2017 campaign was almost as impressive in some ways as Francona led them through a 22-game win streak that’s the longest in AL history and second only to the 1916 New York Giants’ 26-game win streak in MLB history. Francona’s 11 seasons with Cleveland saw him win three Manager of the Year awards as he captured the honor in 2013, 2016, and most recently in 2022 when he piloted the Guardians to an unlikely AL Central division title and within one game of the club’s first ALCS since 2016.
Francona’s time with the Guardians came to an end when he stepped down following the 2023 season amid long-standing health issues. At the time of his departure from the manager’s chair, Francona indicated to reporters (including those at ESPN) that his priority for 2024 was to “go home and get healthy and see what I miss about the game.” Clearly, the veteran skipper has decided that he misses being at the helm of a big league dugout as he will now return to Ohio as manager of the Reds, his first NL job since departing the Phillies in 2000.
He joins up with Cincinnati following a disappointing season that saw the club take a step back from last year’s 82-80 effort with a 77-85 season despite major breakouts for both star shortstop Elly De La Cruz and hard-throwing righty Hunter Greene. Injuries to key pieces like Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand likely played a role in the club’s struggles but whatever hopes the club may have for health-related improvement next year wasn’t enough to convince the front office to retain David Bell, who missed the playoffs in five of his six seasons with the Reds. The club’s managerial search reportedly included younger names such as former Cubs skipper David Ross and departing Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, but the Reds will instead lean on Francona’s decades of experience in order to turn things around for the organization.
With Francona now in place, the Reds have now addressed perhaps the biggest question mark facing them this winter as they look towards the offseason with plenty of other hurdles that will need to be addressed. Chief among those could be their TV revenue situation, as Diamond Sports is reportedly planning to cut ties with the club, which could leave their financial picture uncertain headed into 2025. That’s a frustrating situation for any club, but perhaps especially for a Reds team that already runs among the league’s lower payrolls and figures to lose Nick Martinez to the open market later this winter on the heels of an excellent 2024 campaign that saw him help shore up both the club’s rotation and bullpen throughout the year.
Wow that’s out of nowhere. Great hire for a young team.
Was thinking the same thing, great developmental coach for the youth in Cincy. He’s probably said it before but he must really like younger teams.
Can’t believe he took the Reds job over the White Sox. Lol
The Teds are much better than the White Sox.
Reds
jd – It being the Reds may have been out of nowhere, but Tito’s return to managing was definitely not. And he did play for the Reds in 1987.
“Was told Tito is going to get healthy and then he’ll be back [managing] in a year and a half…he loves the game, part of his fiber in every way, would not be shocked to see him back. ” —- Tim Kurkjian, April 2024
barstoolsports.com/blog/3511623/apparently-terry-f…
Too bad Henry’s ego is where he sits…would love to make a one for one swap, Cora for Tito.
dewey – I thought about that too, but Tito is never returning as long as Henry/Werner/Kennedy are there. They are the reason why he didn’t show up for the OD reunion, he would have really loved attending.
Tito was his Dad’s name.
It’s a family nickname that has been passed down.
Mars – Kinda like Tito with the Jacksons?
It’s still his father’s name on his sons
Rivals the Rangers getting Bochy. What a coup!
Didn’t he just leave Cleveland!
Cleveland rocks? Guess not. Ohio Problems
The Reds are about to go to the next level, hang on tight. Ahahaha!
He’s taking Mimi Bobeck with him as assistant.
One of the best tv shows of the 90’s. Underrated show
Ditching Cleveland for Cincinnati is insane it had to be the other Ohio team
I hope the Cleveland faithful won’t boo him
He’ll get a standing ovation when he comes back to Progressive I’m sure
He didn’t ditch Cleveland . Stepped down for health reasons. He will be cheered when he returns for what he did for Cleveland.
Wow!
If true, he’ll straighten out that team.
Straighten out the team? Only happens if the FO makes better personnel decisions. Which will likely require a lot of money the Castellini’s have not yet been willing to spend.
They have a good young core of cheap infielders
They have some decent OF pieces
They really just need to sign an ace like Corbin Burnes and bring in a pitching coach staff to help Greene Lodolo Lowder Burns Phillips Williamson live up to their draft billing and stay healthy.
At best they should spend to improve the pen
Sounds like a plan to lose the wildcard series.
I’m a Reds fan, we need at least 1 mashing OF’er (probably 2), a SP’er, probably 2 relievers, a backup Catcher……….and HEALTH.
Well that’s exactly what the Royals and Tigers did who won their wild card series
Both teams relied on their young core of position players and pitching
Royals went out and added Lugo and Wacha to their rotation but relied heavily on guys they drafted pitching wise.
Tigers didn’t add anyone but Flaherty who they dealt at the deadline but have relied on their glut of young pitchers
They have an ace named Hunter Greene
I worry more about the young hitters. We don’t know what we have in CES, Marte, Dunn and a few others. Some or most will be in the mix to play next season. Can Arroyo hit enough to be our SS and will he be ready sometime next season moving Elly to the OF or 3B. Are Collier and Sal Stewart the real deal. We can’t afford to field a weak offense next season like we did this past season. Sign a outfielder with some proven pop at the ML level. Hopefully, McClain can return and be who he was. Still, we might need some trades and FA signings bring the team up to par.
This is the part I don’t get with fans of cheap ownership.
If you’re not going to spend, you get either talent but no hustle, or the inverse.
Managers can’t make guys who can’t hit magically start.
For his health he better lay off the Skyline Chili
That crap was really disappointing when I visited Cincinnati.
Goldstar is better, but cincy chili isn’t for everyone idk why people act like you have to try it..
I think it’s because any time you mention Cincinnati to people, they say “you’ve got to try Skyline Chili’- I visited Cincinnati over the summer and I tried it, I didn’t think it was bad and if I lived there, I would probably eat there once or twice a year.
Go to either Camp Washington, Dixie Chili or Price Hill Chili. Not chains and very good food at reasonable 2024 prices.
I think the trick is to think of it as fastfood spaghetti and not “chili”
Or choose to never eat it on spaghetti….like me. Or go with Goetta & Eggs.
Wendy’s has way better chili. In fact, just about everyone else is better than Skyline.
It isn’t chili it’s literally beef juice.
boog – Does it have beans?
If it has beans, I’m not touching it.
I live in Cincinnati and I eat Wendy’s chili
I can not understand ingesting something that looks like it has already been digested and passed.. it’s terrible. I am a reds fan and of all the shortcomings I can complain about it’s the skyline propaganda I am exposed to endlessly be it watching the game on TV or being at the stadium.
If a friend were coming to the area I would be far more likely to recommend goetta or grippos
Tito, drop the “Sox” it’s cleaner.
– Sean Parker (probably)
Way too deep for 10:54 in the morning.
I thought that health issues were why he left Cleveland?
longine – It was, but as I mentioned here months ago Tito has been doing much better healthwise and was expected to return to managing.
Vogt won the division, so it wouldn’t make sense to demote/fire him just to bring Tito back.
@FPG
Please get the name of the watch right, it’s most important.
I thought the same thing , That he quit for his health. Well if he’s coming back that means he got shoved out the door. Be interesting to see what happens. I can’t imagine he came back without at least SOME assurances that they’ll spend something.
No, it does not mean he was shoved out before. It may just mean he needed recovery time. Not saying you are wrong, just you have no basis to be certain.
Cleveland didn’t shove him out the door, he needed time with no travel to heal in peace. He is 65 after all. If he has his health under control, he should resume his work if he wants.
MLB – Exactly!
Tito had 3 surgeries after the 2023 season, one of which was shoulder replacement and for someone his age and health that takes about 4 months to recover.
Taking a year and a half to recover and get healthy was the logical thing to do.
Reminds me of Danny Murtaugh when he managed the pirates. He retired after the 1964 season due to health reasons. Joe brown brought him back in 1967 as interim manager. He retired again. Brown brought him back again in 1970 to 1972. Retired again and Brown brought him back in 1974 through 1976. When brown retired and Murtaugh retired. Eventually Danny Murtaugh passed away. Shows that you can never count out a man due to health reasons.
I wish Francona luck. Just wished the pirates had hired him instead of keeping the MORON.
New- I said that a month ago on a Pirates thread but another poster said that his health would not permit it.He grew up in western Pa and would have been the perfect choice.
That poster was wrong.
The Pirates had a perfect opportunity to get a near HOF manager.Do they have any near HOF players,management,or owner?
The shame about Danny Murtaugh is that he died within a few weeks of the end of the 1976 season.What a guy.
Tito will be in the HOF even if the Reds stint does not go well.
Yes Mendoza…it’s almost like he was chosen to go out in glory with Joe Brown. If you remember after that season with Murtaugh and Brown retiring, also Bob Prince and Nellie King were fired. That was a very bad move by kdka radio. I don’t think people realized that Prince and King were fired by kdka and not the pirates.
Anyway I wish Terry Francona luck and good health.
I can’t believe how many people keep saying Tito. Who is Terry’s father.
I guess the air is bad in Ohio
Bullseye – total incompetence to keep Shelton so you can fire him next year
Reds couldn’t have been the only team that knew Francona had interest but his asking price probably caused Nutting to choke on his avocado toast
No, think it’s because they were eating the dog! They were eating the cats!
They ate the stadium dogs and relished it.
It’s Francona by a mile. The button nose, the apple cheeks… He’s the best manager.
Surprising. But it’s good for baseball to have Tito back in the game. I will have to start following the Reds more. This is the best possible move they could have made.
Like WTF thought he retired.
Great for baseball he’s back.
Wow. They couldn’t have gotten a better one, and he always gets a lot out of young players. Well done.
I always give kudos when it is due.
Congrats, bud. I know you’re always cynical about the Reds but this is a very nice move for them.
Congratulations! Excellent hire. Wish the Pirates would have made this move. He grew up near Pittsburgh and would have made a ton of sense for them too. Unfortunately we’re stuck with Shelton for at least another year.
And stuck with Nutting for forever.
Congratulations! This is probably the best offseason move the Reds could make. Automatically, I’m going to assume with the injured players coming back, this team is going to be in the hunt for the playoffs all next season!
I agree. I don’t praise the Red’s front office often, but when I do it’s because they hired Terry Franconia
Too bad you don’t have the world’s most interesting owner.
True. I doubt he drinks Dos Equis.
Terry Francona is one of the few managers worth watching in the post game press conference. I feel he could be just what the Reds need.
Oh heck yeah!
If Tito missed the game, why not? If he wants to die in the dugout, good for him!
If Counsell is making $8 million per year, I hope Francona makes $9 million.
Wow…
That was a short retirement! Sounds like the health issues are no longer a concern. Welcome back, Sir!
He was sick of Cleveland
He squared away a Cleveland FO that was going in circles.
Let’s see if he can do the same in Cincinnati.
“Letting” Shapiro/Atkins go to Toronto did that!
Huge hire for the Reds if they don’t cheap out on the players.
Yeah! They will have to raise payroll to the Cleveland level! ( unless that would require a drop. )
First the Rangers brought back Bouchy, now the Reds with Tito, something to be said for the old guard.
The NL Central just a lot more competitive, great hire for the Reds.
And the Astros brought in Dusty Baker.
Time for the Pirates to bring back Jim Leyland.
And for the Marlins Jack McKeon. He’s 93 though he’ll need them to install a accessible ramp for his rascal scooter for pitching changes.
I’m still waiting for a Mike Scioscia return…
I remember when he was part of the new guard with the Phillies. Damn, I am old.
Your old? My memory can’t remember that far back. Knew I should have paid for the extended warranty.
I hope the Reds plan on spending some money contending. I don’t want to see Tito come out of retirement for nothing.
Do you have the money to help the Reds sign ballplayers? Reds just had their local TV contract canceled in the Diamond Sports bankruptcy.
Short retirement for Francona. Hard to give up the game he loves.
This is almost as unexpected as tony la Russa getting hired a few years ago or Bruce bochy
Why did Tito come back even with the health problems?
I wouldn’t wish larussa on any team, even the hated cubs.
La Russa’s only health problem is Johnie Walker.
Even if results don’t come, this was the right hire. No question Francona will do the job in the dugout and in the clubhouse, hopefully the front office hears his new voice and gives him what he tells them he needs to get into the playoffs.
That last will be the key. I would liked to have been a fly in the wall when that subject came up, because if I know Tito, you know it did.
“We stayed away from chicken and beer. That really helped. I may as well get that out of the way” – Former Guardian’s Mgr. Terry Francona on the Guardian’s latest hot finish.
Yes!
Wow did not see that coming. They must have had a really good pitch to bring him back.
Terry is old with health problems. Tony Larussa 2.0
They’re 15 years apart
Can i be the first with a Trevor bauer reunion post?
You beat me to it!
When they seek a pitcher with a strong WHIP, that’s not what they mean.
With a DH, they don’t care that Bauer hits hard.
Should I tell these jokes Lowder, or are these enough Burns?
I Wander.
Analytics are great, but you also have to have a “feel” for the game, which is where Bell missed out. Francona has it, not always a by the book guy, and I love it. Look for Elly to take a big step next year.
I bet Elly reminds him of a young Jose Ramirez.
Reds- Good for you and your team.
If the Pirates’ owner has some semblance of brains this would have been a slam dunk for Pittsburgh.
Good luck with Tito.
NL will be a force with this guy on our side next year. I love my Mets but I’m a National League guy, having Tito in the NL is going to be fun.
I do not think this is a good hire. Francona’s health is prohibitive. He has lost his feel for the games’ impromptu decisions. He is a good company man but not a strong fit for a younger, developing team.
Nonsense. He is EXACTLY a strong fit for a young developing team.
Tito has probably developed more young players than anyone in baseball.
I think it was Theo Epstein, in a documentary on Tito, who said he asked him once, ‘Do you even have a life outside the dugout?’
Next we’ll see Jim Leyland replacing Shelton. Pirates fans can only hope.
Pirates have been foolish not to have hired their homeboy Francona. There’s nothing the Guardians have done in the last 12 years that the Pirates couldn’t have done. It’s not about money, which is similar. It’s about management, on and off the field.
Pirates fans would be happy seeing anyone replacing Shelton. Not happening this year.
I’m surprised the article didn’t mention that Tito left Cleveland because of serious health issues. He needed 1, if not 2, surgeries and lots of rest. Looks like the year+ did him good and he’s ready to get back at it. Good for him.
pjmcnu: Tht article did in fact state that Terry left Cleveland after serious health concerns.
likely a timing issue as the article grew
After 2011 season he interviewed for manager of Cardinals after LaRussa retired. Think he was really considered before giving job to Mike Matheny. Matheny I believe is a fine person but if Tito was hired with the talent still there might have brought at least one more title to Cards.
I’m glad whatever health issues Tito had he’s over. Miss him in Boston.
Well everyone was convinced they were going to hire a former Reds player in David Ross or Skip Schumaker. They were technically right, they just needed to go back about 25 years further on Reds rosters. Francona was a Reds player in 1987.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Damn, I wanted the Pirates to fire Shelton and hire Tito. His hometown is in the Pittsburgh suburbs. Guess that’s too easy.
This is a great hire for Cincinnati.
As a long time Sox fan, I am a huge fan of Tito as well. Best of luck! Gives me another reason to go to Cincinnati and catch a game.
Great hire for the Reds and hopefully a good sign that Tito’s health issues have been resolved.
So happy for Tito, the Reds and MLB. He is the greatest manager the Redsox have ever had. I wish him nothing but the greatest success!!
Are you people all Morons its Terry Francona not Tito Francona
obviously you aren’t a real baseball fan, TITO is what he likes to be called, its a NICKNAME. LMAO. Go back and play your video games junior.
WKRP in Cincinnati
Overrated. Not knowing turkeys can’t fly can only get you so far. And I used to like this show when I was younger.
I was hoping the Dodgers would hire him after Dave Roberts chokes in another postseason.
I do think Dodgers have to top Padres for Roberts to keep his job. I do think that that will be enough to get him one more year.
I believe he was fired too quickly with the Phillies but he has gone on and done some great things since. I love the guy and I will root for the Reds – so long as they’re not playing the Phillies of course.
Reds: 2025 MLB champs.
Excellent! Someone who can start from scratch, and teach them how to run bases, field grounders, and point them in the right direction to throw the ball. Someone who can coach without his laptop telling him what should be done. Someone who can teach them the that having fun should be done when you’re winning, not when you’re losing.
Basics
Well said ! Lodolo projected arb number being at 2mil reflects this organization inability to teach their yel nt any of that !
??? Lodolo 2M is a reflection of his inability to stay healthy.
Health and lack of development. Just like sooo many other reds
Something tells me that the Reds knew that they could probably land Francona when they fired Bell…
They could a bag of peanuts and those nuts woulda been an upgrade !
Welcome back Tito!
Nice hire! Good luck in ’25 Reds
Go Tito go!!!!
Eh. Old school manager in a new school game. 4th place next year.
Tell that to Bochy
Did the game change in the one year he took off? Or since he last had sustained success? As currently constructed the Reds are a second place team, with plenty of opportunity to win the division.
I’m going to go against the grain here. I think this is more like the White Sox hiring La Russa 2.0. The man has been out of touch for a while now. Maybe I ‘m wrong. Time will tell.
You’re wrong
Why?
He’s been out for a year. His track record in Cleveland with small payrolls was excellet. Do you think Bochy is old news?
cwizzy6: CardsFan57 is “wrong” because his comment of Terry being ” out of touch for awhile” is completely absurd. Look at what he’s done, despite missing a decent amount of time w health issues.This is coming from an NL(Braves & Pirates) fan who lives 45 minutes away from Cleveland.
Wrong or just hatin ?
Good for Francoca, now deal sum position players frm your farm system logjam of prospect capital for more pitching. Young controllable pitching plus adding journeymen Ps who it finally clicks for given this opportunity. Now to just pick the right free agents. Seth lugo-ish. Eat innings n keep his team in games. I remember when Dodgers battled it out w/Reds for NL West, winner take all, no playoffs except division series. @Chavez ravine n damn if light hitting backup middle infielder Rafael Landestoy for Reds didn’t have career game n LA lost in 10th. Good battles w/Braves in NL west in early 80s too.
The Reds have lots of young pitching with team control – Greene, Abbott, Lodolo, Lowder, Aguilar, Burns. Someone to replace Nick Martinez in the swingman role or a Seth Lego-type on a short term deal would help. But their big need is OF bats.
The only negative connected with this move that I can see is less money available for roster improvement/maintenance for a franchise that regularly cuts those corners.
Why was their AL central title in 2022 ‘unlikely’? The teams in the central aren’t exactly separated by much the last 10-15 years. Sure, every division has a favourite going into the season – but the division is pretty mediocre.
Because outside of NE Ohio, lazy news media hates to cover this team. Hard to talk about something you haven’t been paying attention to.
The Twins and White Sox were the favorites to win the division in 2022 before the season started
@down with obp
Here’s a fact you may have missed, based on your comment:
3 teams from the AL Central made the playoffs this year. That’s 3 of 5 teams. And the Twins just missed getting in. I wouldn’t call that “pretty mediocre”.
I’m bummed they didn’t do more interviews but they got a damn fine manager in the end. Should be able to help the youngsters, but also kick them in the ass when they need it.
The Reds just hired one of the smartest managers in baseball history.
Meanwhile, my Yankees have one of the Dumbest managers in baseball history, and a GM who’s somehow even Dumber.
I can’t believe Hal S. was Stupid enough not to make a quiet deal with Francona to take over in 2025 from the Laurel & Hardy combination of Boone & Cashman.
This non-move sums up the Utter Stupidity of the Yankees under the mismanagement of Hal, Cashman & Boone, The Three Stooges of Baseball.
Until this article was published, did you even have an inkling that Franconia was even an option?
Given his long-lasting loyalty to the Cleveland Indians/Guardians (I miss their old name**), I assumed when he retired from Cleveland, he was done managing.
And maybe that was his intention, but maybe he missed the game so much that he decided to come back for 3-5 years.
Given how well Cleveland did this year, I assume he wouldn’t dream of trying to bump his replacement there, plus I imagine other teams could offer him far more money than Cleveland.
I assume he made it known that he wanted to return to managing, so I would think that nitwit Cashman was aware of that.
But Cashman would Never want a manager like Francona, who he couldn’t lead around by the nose, like Boonehead.
Given his impressive credentials, I’d assume there’s no way Francona would put up with edicts from an Arrogant Moron like Brian Cashman.
So, I would think the only way Francona would sign with the Yankees was if Cashman was fired, along with Boonehead.
** I’ve never understood why the name Indians was considered derogatory. Yes, it’s what whites incorrectly called Native Americans because of Columbus’ sailing error (he was sailing for India), so it was not meant as an insult, just a logistical mistake, unlike “Redskins,” which was derogatory. If there was a team named the Italians or Guineas (even), I’d have at least 2-3 of their Jerseys. (My Italian grandpa, who had been a lieutenant in the Italian Army, called me “skinny Guinea” all-the time as kid.)
Great hire
I’m a bit skeptical his health will hold up, but it’s his life to live. Cincy is kind of an eff you to Cleveland, but an attractive gig for sure.
How’s this an eff you exactly
He either confused eating exclusively sausages and burgers for dying or his lack of personal commitment produced an unnecessary departure.
It would be like Torre leaving the Yankees as a medical retirement only to discover broccoli rabe and returning to manage the Mets.
The aww shucks and chew is part of his appeal, but it’s sort of funny to watch it play out in real world scenarios.
Tito might have happily gone back to Cleveland but they’ve obviously already found their new long term replacement.
There’s no logical reason to call the Cleveland team the Guardians in the story when they were, in fact, not the Guardians at that point.
All hail Tito! Great news.
I have a two year old black Labrador. My dog’s name? Tito Francona. So great having Tito back in an MLB dugout! Well done, Reds.
All the Cincinnati fans were so sure a week ago, that Skip Schumacher was coming to save the day. Then Tito happened.
Reds fans were expecting something way worse than skip or Tito. They are the reds….
Wherever Skip ends up won’t be Cincy and apparently not St. Louis either.
This was unexpected. But good for the Reds! Cincinnati fans should be ecstatic!
Great hire by the Reds! Great manager!
He left the Red Sox prior to 2012, not prior to 2011.
Love to see the reds replace krall with Zaidi now ! We don’t need a gm w the ability to bring the top FA, second tier is a huge upgrade ! And anything is an upgrade over krall. He’s the most unaccomplished exec in all of baseball
Couldn’t disagree more. Krall has assembled a great young nucleus. Francona could’ve had his pick of the litter of managerial jobs. He signed very early in the process because he sees the talent on this team. Talent that Krall acquired with a Walmart budget.
Same group of talent any Tampa exec or dodger exec would have turned into a playoff caliber franchise. Reds can’t do it because of chemistry, lack of development, and poor injury prevention. Or Everything that falls on upper management
This hire is a mistake for both the Reds and Francona.Health and she will hurt both.
I’m excited for Tito. He looked so run down that last year in Cleveland.
Looks like Tito already got tired of hanging out at the pool and the Tucson, AZ golf courses. And the prospects of watching his Arizona Wildcats baseball team swing their bats in that truck stop conference, named Big XII, from now on, probably weren’t too comforting either.
Nothing but health and success to the man!
Hahaha! The death of the Pac-10 is sad for sure.
So glad to see Tito back in an MLB dugout. Should be a really positive force for the Reds.
I thought he was too sick to work ? So did Cleveland fire him to get into the playoffs ? Pretty strange stuff, they always talked about his health.
Key word is “was.” Health changes and is not a constant. After surgery, there is time needed to heal. And then one is back to being healthy. He needed more than a year to recover and as it was unknown how the recovery would go, he left. You can’t expect a franchise to hold the managers job for such an extended time.
When I seen his name I thought they were going to say he died, not going to Cinci.
See cubs/counsell if you think a different manager will make the team better. It’s all about talent and spending wisely
Counsell seems pretty overrated to me, but I’m not a player showing up to a clubhouse 162 days a year.
That being said, the players make it happen, but it’s up to manager to lead, hold guys accountable and make the tough decisions in game. That certainly has value.
Great Hire for the REDS, …Meanwhile in Toronto We still have our Loser GM/President shapiro, his lackie atkins and an AAA Manager….
Toronto will not compete for a long time…
Great hire by the Reds . Lets hope Francona can turn the Reds into winners
Francona knows what he is doing and will get the most out of the players, but ownership needs to spend more so they can supplement the core already there or it’s just going to lead to some 1st and 2nd round postseason losses.
Don’t know if it’s been said before, but let’s also hope that somebody like Mickey Calloway isnt working closely with Francona in Cincy, because we all know that Terry was aware it was going on and tried to sweep it under the rug.
Always loved Tito Francona. Actually was hoping he would manage the Tigers someday, but I’ll stick with Hinch!LoL
It’s Terry not Tito. Tito is his father
Wrong. In Cleveland, he was also called Tito by almost everybody. Family nickname passed on.
Was hoping the Reds would give Lou brown another chance.
I’m shocked. I really thought he retired for good. This is great news for Cincy and great news for baseball.
Finally a reason to watch Reds games.
Fabulous news! Presumably his health has improved. Hope it goes well.
Good hire
While the Cardinals are too stupid to even think to ask Francona to come to them. They got the Ollie and Dusty musty leader ship.
I’m not sure Francona does well with young players. I predict mediocrity …..
He’s got something special in his hands now. De La Cruz and Greene seem like the sport’s next mega-stars. Francona (with a bit of GM’s assistance) could turn Cincy into the fave to win NL Central.
Side note:
How does De La Cruz only have .118 of a year of service time if he played 98 games last year?
The Reds have now become this Red Sox fans 2nd favorite team!! Go get em Tito!!
Love Tito. I just hope he stays healthy. Managing the Reds is not healthy.
I’m happy for Terry Francona.
I’m happy for Terry Francona and wish him well in Cincinnati. However, for you Reds fans, a few things to know.
He had a remarkable relationship with the Cleveland front office. His contract was, in essence, was a year by year handshake agreement. He could’ve managed as long as he wanted in Cleveland with absolutely no job worries. So the fact that he left for health reasons would worry me if I were a Reds fan. It’s completely possible that his desire to manage and his love for the game is overwhelming his better judgment regarding his health. He really was in bad shape physically just a year ago.
Secondly, Tito is an old school manager, that’s not a bad thing, but he had so much leeway even with Cleveland’s front office which is analytics driven. Francona should get leeway, but if his relationship with the FO isn’t as good as with Cleveland, could he regret this?
Lastly, my one complaint about Francona was his tendency to stick with older veterans instead of giving young guys a chance. That’s not to say he didn’t play young guys, but often it was way past when they should’ve been in the majors. He didn’t have much choice in his last couple years in Cleveland, but for every Lindor, Kwan, and Bieber you had a Ryan Rayburn, Jason Giambi, and Jake Bauers. Just be aware that he likes his veteran leadership.
It’s Terry. Tito is his father.
If Francona wants to trot out older veterans he’ll need to stick around a few years. Jeimer Candelario’s about the only player on Cincy’s roster that even comes close to that description at present.
Wow. Based on the way he retired I expected the next news on him would be an Obit. Not joking or being sarcastic, I really did.
84-78 in 2025…
The game is always better when Terry Francona is involved.
“The process moved quickly. The Reds reached out to Francona earlier this week, met with him in his home in Tucson, Ariz., and completed their manager search within two weeks of firing Bell. The Reds also had interest in former Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, people briefed on the club’s deliberations told The Athletic, though they didn’t reach the interview stage with him before hiring Francona.
During his year away from baseball, Francona has lost about 25 pounds and is in good health. He underwent a shoulder replacement and had two hernias repaired.” – The Athletics
Yet another Retread…
Here’s an idea, name Tito Mgr and Terry 1B coach..
Great hire, was hoping the White Sox would get him. I guess that’s not the White sox way of doing business,