The Reds have hired future Hall of Famer Terry Francona as their new manager, announcing on Friday morning that they have agreed to a three-year deal with a team option for 2028.
Francona, 65 years-of-age, who stepped down as Cleveland Guardians manager after the 2023 campaign, siting health issues and wanting to spend time with his family, returns to the dugout after managing three teams over a distinguished and successful 23-year career. He has compiled a 1,950-1,672 record with the Philadelphia Phillies (1997-2000), Boston Red Sox (2004-2011) and Guardians (2013-2023). He ended the 86-year curse of the Bambino and led the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007.
Francona’s hiring comes less than two weeks after the Reds dismissal of David Bell.
In six seasons with Bell at the helm, Cincinnati went 409-456 (.473), never finishing above third place in the National League Central division except for the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, where they only played 60 game (31-29 record, second-place finish).
Embed from Getty ImagesWith young and emerging stars like Elly De La Cruz, Hunter Greene, Spencer Steer and Matt McLain, as well as promising prospects in their farm system such as Rhett Lowder, the Reds are looking to elevate themselves and take the next step and reach the playoffs following a full season for the first time since 2013.
Francona’s reputation of relating to his players and getting the best out of them precedes him. Before taking the reins in Boston in 2004, he led a Red Sox team that had not been able to get past their rival New York Yankees to an ALCS upset before its first World Series title in 86 years. Boston won another title under Francona three years later, and overall, he guided the Red Sox to the postseason five times in his eight seasons as manager.
In 2013, Francona became manager in Cleveland, leading that organization to the postseason for the first time in six years. In 2016, Cleveland reached the Fall Classic, but lost in seven games to the Chicago Cubs. Overall, Francona became the winningest manager in Cleveland history, going 921-757 with six postseason appearances in 11 years. He also won three American League Manager of the Year Awards in that span (2013, 2016 and 2022).
As mentioned previously, following the 2023 season, Francona stepped down as Guardians manager due to health reasons, but never ruled out and said he hoped to return to baseball in some capacity when healthy again.
Francona played for the Reds in 1987 as part of his decade-long playing career.
