Report: Francona to be named Indians Manager

[bigbob]

Terry Francona is set to be named the new Cleveland Indians manager on Monday, according to FoxSports.com.

Francona was an ESPN analyst this past season and won two American League pennants and two World Series championships with the Boston Red Sox, managing the team from 2004-2011.

Cleveland fired previous manager Manny Acta last month after falling out of contention in the American League Central with a 5-24 record in August. That was the worst month in the franchise’s 112-year history. The Indians have not made the playoffs since 2008 and finished 68-94 this season.

Francona, 53, went 744-552 with Boston, making the playoffs five out of his eight seasons with the team.

Well, we can take his name out of the rumors where some believed a return to the Redsox was in the cards.

[Blzer]

Re: Report: Francona to be named Indians Manager

Well, good luck with that French. That organization is a little less than a work in progress.

[Chaos81]

Re: Report: Francona to be named Indians Manager

Guess I've been out of the loop. I didn't even know they fired Acta.

[55]

Re: Report: Francona to be named Indians Manager

I was really hoping they would give Sandy Alomar Jr. a shot.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Report: Francona to be named Indians Manager

Maybe a signal that the owners are finally serious about winnng? The Indians lost a ton of fans between wimping out on Willingham and mismanaging on contracts, like picking up Fausto's option, giving Grady Five mill for no reason and the implosion of Ubaldo. With the players turning big time on Acta, a serious leader and teacher was needed.

Still dont think this team goes anywhere with Antonetti and the Dolans.

[bigbob]

Re: Report: Francona to be named Indians Manager

Francona is now saying that it's a premature report.

ESPN analyst Terry Francona says a report that he will be the Cleveland Indians' next manager is "premature."

Francona interviewed Friday for the job left vacant when the Indians fired Manny Acta on Sept. 27.

"I wouldn't have interviewed if I wasn't interested," Francona said.

However, the former Boston Red Sox manager, who worked in Cleveland's front office in 2001 and is close to Indians president Mark Shapiro and general manager Chris Antonetti, said the two sides still are discussing a lot of things.

"The report is very premature," Francona said Saturday night. "When there's a decision to make, I'll make it."

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Report: Francona to be named Indians Manager

Sandy Alomar already confirmed it.

[Chaos81]

Re: Report: Francona to be named Indians Manager

Francona is now saying that it's a premature report.

Premature as in it came out an hour earlier than they wanted it to.

https://twitter.com/Indians/status/254721558151565312

#Indians have named Terry Francona 42nd MGR in team history; club will make formal announcement Monday morning at Progressive Field

[SPTO]

Re: Report: Francona to be named Indians Manager

I'm of two minds about this, I mean I wanted Alomar to get his shot at being the manager. I wonder what he's done to not get a managerial gig? It seems like he's forever "A top candidate" but never getting the job. In a way he kind of reminds me of Brian Butterfield in Toronto who gets a lot of props and people saying he'd be a good manager but no one has hired him though he did get an opportunity to go to Baltimore when Buck Showalter arrived (they're friends from way back) but he stayed in Toronto with new added responsibilities.

On the other hand this could be a signal that the Indians are serious about winning and they've had great starts the last couple years that fizzled out around the all star break so maybe with Tito there he can get them to play all 162. I just don't know if Francona's style will work there but we'll see how it goes.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Report: Francona to be named Indians Manager

I would expect Sandy to get a manager job this offseason. Toronto or Boston would do well to hire him.

Although if Sandy does want to go back to Cleveland, and Francona has offered him a spot as bench coach, then he could always do that. And I'd love it. He clearly wants the manager job.

[av7]

Re: Report: Francona to be named Indians Manager

I would expect Sandy to get a manager job this offseason. Toronto or Boston would do well to hire him.

Although if Sandy does want to go back to Cleveland, and Francona has offered him a spot as bench coach, then he could always do that. And I'd love it. He clearly wants the manager job.

Im hoping Colorado somehow manages to get him. But it really doesnt matter who it is since the FO of the Rockies will handcuff them anyway

[areobee401]

Re: Report: Francona to be named Indians Manager

Wish Terry nothing but the best in Cleveland. If ownership is committed to winning, the Indians should be in good shape.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Report: Francona to be named Indians Manager

Im hoping Colorado somehow manages to get him. But it really doesnt matter who it is since the FO of the Rockies will handcuff them anyway

Colorado may be the best spot for him at this point. Not a whole lot of expectations yet a lot of talent.

Whoever gets Sandy is getting one of the best managerial candidates in a long time. He eats, sleeps, and breathes baseball. I wish we were in a spot to hire him but...alas, we weren't there at this point.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Report: Francona to be named Indians Manager

Colorado may be the best spot for him at this point. Not a whole lot of expectations yet a lot of talent.

Whoever gets Sandy is getting one of the best managerial candidates in a long time. He eats, sleeps, and breathes baseball. I wish we were in a spot to hire him but...alas, we weren't there at this point.

I would get my hopes up for the Twins making a move for him. But then I remembered that he hasn't been in the Twins organization for 30 years, so that ain't happening.