DALLAS — Terry Francona recalled the exact moment that reignited his passion for baseball.
“My daughters were away in Europe for 10 days, so I took care of the grandkids,” he explained. “That was the day I considered going back to baseball.”
Francona, who has been honored as Manager of the Year three times and will turn 66 in April, was appointed the manager of the Cincinnati Reds on October 4.
“I haven’t had surgery in about 11 months,” he said, chuckling. “It feels like I’m on borrowed time.”
Having led the Cleveland Guardians for 11 seasons, Francona decided to retire following the 2023 season, which was marked by a need for shoulder replacement surgery and double hernia operation.
“It was incredibly physically demanding, and I felt I was not giving my best to people around me, which was troubling,” he noted, referring to his health struggles during 2020 and 2021.
“I didn’t leave baseball because I disliked it; I believed I wasn’t meeting expectations, and the job became less enjoyable due to the challenges I faced,” he acknowledged.
Taking over a Reds team that has only made it to the postseason once since 2013, during the shortened 2020 season, Francona expressed his enthusiasm for his new role.
“I genuinely enjoy watching baseball,” he stated. “If I’m in good health, I want to be hands-on in finding ways to improve the team instead of merely observing or relying on coaches.”
With a remarkable managerial record of 1,950-1,672 across 23 seasons with Philadelphia (1997-2000), Boston (2004-2011), and Cleveland (2013-2023), Francona boasts two World Series victories with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007, in addition to leading the Guardians to Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.
“He has an exceptional way of making people feel welcomed and fostering learning. You can learn a great deal just by watching and listening to him,” remarked Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro, a former assistant under Francona in Cleveland from 2014-2017.
Quatraro emphasized the leadership qualities he observed, such as maintaining a light-hearted atmosphere in the clubhouse, recognizing the players’ challenges, and fostering collaboration without micromanagement.
Francona steps in for David Bell, who was released after a disappointing tenure in his sixth season. He will work with an exciting young roster that features players like Elly De La Cruz, Hunter Greene, and Tyler Stephenson.
“The challenges remain consistent. Our goal is to determine just how good we can become,” Francona remarked. “When we lose, it will tear me apart. On the other hand, winning has its perks. I’ve never managed to find a way to gain perspective on it. Perhaps I’ve missed my chance.”
During the last season, while watching games from home, Francona refrained from analyzing plays like a manager. He recalled times he would watch games with executives Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff while dealing with health issues that kept him away from the dugout.
“They’d often ask me, ‘Skip, what should we do here?’” Francona recounted. “I would try to clarify that being in the dugout puts you in a concentrated mindset where you have access to all the information. When you’re sitting in the stands, you miss out on knowing who is unavailable or if someone is feeling unwell.”
Eager to reconnect with a team environment, Francona humorously noted that he won’t be throwing batting practice anytime soon.
“I want to avoid having a heart attack,” he joked. “I was reminded of my limits when I was playing catch with my grandson on Halloween and the next day, I could barely lift my arm. So, batting practice is definitely out of the question.”
