Before leaving the Cleveland Guardians in October of last year, the 65-year-old American, who played with the Reds for ten seasons, managed the team for eleven seasons.
Twelve days prior to Francona’s arrival, the Reds fired manager David Bell after a 77–85 campaign. Under Bell, the Reds finished 409-456 in six seasons and dropped their lone postseason series in 2020.
The Reds haven’t won the World Series since 1990, and they haven’t won a playoff series since 1995.
As a bench boss for 23 years, Francona has overseen three clubs, the Philadelphia Phillies (1997–2000), Red Sox (2004–2011), and Guardians (2013–2023), during which he has compiled a 1,950–1,672 record.
In 2004 and 2007, he led the Red Sox to their first MLB championships since 1918, winning the World Series both times.
From 1997 to 2000, Francona was never able to make it to the postseason with Philadelphia; yet, he led the Red Sox to five postseason appearances in eight years prior to not being picked up for the 2012 season.
In 2013, Francona was promoted as manager at Cleveland and lead the franchise into the playoffs for the first time in six years.
He led Cleveland into the World Series in 2016, but the Cubs defeated them in a historic seven-game series.
Francona was 921-757 with Cleveland, which made six playoff trips in his 11 seasons.
Francona took a leave of absence during the 2023 campaign due to health concerns, despite having won the American League Manager of the Year award in 2013, 2016, and 2022.
Terry Francona returned to baseball one year after resigning as manager of the Cleveland Guardians.
According to MLB insider Mark Feinsand, word leaked late on October 3 that Francona had been appointed manager of the Cincinnati Reds. The captain was officially signed by the Reds to a three-year contract on Friday morning.
David Bell, the former manager of Cincinnati who signed an extension in the middle of the 2023 season, was fired on September 22. The Reds finished with a 77-85 record, but given their youthful, explosive core that includes Elly De La Cruz, they were projected to be stronger contenders in the National League Central.
Former Cubs manager David Ross was suggested by MLB insider Bob Nightengale, who also recently disqualified Marlins captain Skip Schumaker as the front-runner for the Reds’ opening. However, Cincinnati surprised everyone in the baseball world by making an unexpected—and probably costly—choice for one of the league’s lowest-budget teams.
Terry Francona, the beloved former Red Sox manager, is back in baseball as the Reds captain.
Terry Francona is a Cincinnati Red. Terry Francona is a Cincinnati Red. Terry Francona is a Cincinnati Red. Terry Francona is a Cincinnati Red. Terry Francona is a Cincinnati Red. Terry Francona is a Cincinnati Red. pic.twitter.com/SR4drjQq2I
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) October 4, 2024
Francona is a great pick for a Reds team trying to make a splash in a tough division. After spending four years in the Phillies system from 1997 to 2000, Tito began his 23-year management career. In 2004, he led the Boston Red Sox franchise win a World Series for the first time in 86 years.
Francona spent eight years managing Boston before spending eleven years with Cleveland. In 2016, the Guardians won the American League pennant; however, they were defeated by the Cubs in the World Series, ending yet another illustrious championship drought.
Tito is popular among Red Sox fans after he managed the club to two World Series and a .574 winning percentage in his eight years in Boston. After the 2023 season, he took a leave of absence from baseball to take care of his health, and it’s wonderful to see him healthy enough to manage once more. The Reds need Francona’s baseball acumen and attitude to be competitive in the NL Central.
