MLB roundup: Indians introduce Francona as manager
The Cleveland Indians formally introduced new manager Terry Francona at a press conference Monday at Progressive Field.
Francona signed a four-year deal over the weekend to manage the Indians, but hopes to be around longer than that.
"I don't want to be a rental manager," Francona said. "I didn't want to come in worried. I want to be part of the solution. I want to stick around.
"I didn't come here to go to pasture."
Francona is the Indians 42nd manager. He takes over a club coming off a 68-94 season.
Francona led the Boston Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007. He was let go last year after a September collapse in which the Red Sox went 7-20 down the stretch to miss out on a playoff spot.
He spent this season working as an analyst for ESPN.
Francona replaces Manny Acta, who was fired in September. Sandy Alomar Jr. managed the team in the interim to finish the season. He was the only other known candidate for the job.
Unlike the Red Sox, the Indians do not have a large payroll. Francona said that is not a concern to him.
"I don't care what players are making," he said. "I want them to play the game right."
Francona, 53, also managed the Philadelphia Phillies (1997-2000) and was with the Red Sox for eight seasons. His overall managerial record is 1,029-915.
---Turner Sports' 2.9 average overnight Nielsen rating through the first three days of its MLB playoff coverage marks a 16 percent increase through the same period last year.
The three games played Sunday and aired across networks was up 18 percent over the comparable day last year, according to USAToday.com. The coverage was led by a 3.3 overnight for the New York Yankees' victory over the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of their American League Division Series, despite a 2 1/2-hour rain delay.
---A's left-handed pitcher Brett Anderson said he's ready to pitch Game 3 of the American League Division Series against Detroit on Tuesday. He said his right oblique injury is no longer a concern.
Assuming Anderson starts Game 3, that puts rookie righty A.J. Griffin in line to start a potential Game 4 on Wednesday. The Tigers lead the best-of-three series 2-0.
