Terry Francona is now familiar with the Fenway Park office of the visiting manager. Francona acknowledged that he didn’t expect he would ever return after stepping down to focus on his health after the 2023 season. The former Red Sox captain was back every year for over ten years during his 11-year tenure guiding the Cleveland Guardians.
“No,” Francona responded. I had no intention of doing so.
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As time passed, things began to shift. He felt more capable of enduring the demands of a major league season as his health improved. After a year away, he was approached by the Cincinnati Reds, and following some fruitful discussions, he startled the baseball community by returning to the big leagues for his 24th season as manager.
Francona has returned to Boston, this time as the head coach of a young Reds team that entered Tuesday night 44-41 and 2.5 games out of the playoffs.
Francona remarked, “I was really comfortable and needed to be where I was, but then these guys came and it felt right.” I’m happy I’m here and that things worked out.
Francona stated that enough time has gone by for him to no longer feel emotional about returning to Boston and that he never wants his players to think that his attention is elsewhere. However, he always looks forward to meeting some of his old friends, like Alex Cora, the current Red Sox captain, whom he managed from 2005 to 2008.
Cora stated on Monday that he was thrilled to learn that Francona was coming out of retirement after being told this past winter that she was well.
The most important thing, Cora remarked, is that Tito is doing this and that he is healthy. He is performing admirably.
When questioned about his relationship with Cora, Francona didn’t mince words.
Francona said, “Oh,” “I love him.” I believe he’s fantastic.
Francona has a long and secure legacy in the game, even if he never managed again. The 66-year-old guided the Guardians to within one game of winning a third World Series in 2016, and he had already won two with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007. In the coming weeks, he will become the 13th manager in MLB history to surpass 2,000 career victories. He is now the all-time leader in Cleveland’s wins and is second in Boston’s wins.
Having the chance to manage for 24 seasons has been a blessing, but Francona says he doesn’t like to think about or discuss that milestone because he would rather keep the attention on his players.
And he has no immediate plans to stop as long as his body permits it.
Francona declared, “I’m going to quit for nothing.” I’ve always wanted to do this, and it’s all I can do.
