Francona gets four-year deal to manage Indians
The Cleveland Indians announced Monday that Terry Francona has agreed to a four-year contract to be their new manager and will be introduced later in the day.
It had been reported since Saturday that Francona would become the manager after interviewing for the job Friday. The team later confirmed the report and that he would be introduced at a press conference at Progressive Field.
Francona will take over a club coming off a 68-94 season.
"Terry Francona brings a great deal of major league managerial experience and leadership to the job," Indians general manager Chris Antonelli said in a press release. "During his career he has consistently won at a high level while transitioning young players to the big leagues and is adept at leading a clubhouse."
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.
Acta was ousted just before finishing his third season with the Indians. He compiled a 214-266 record in Cleveland, including a 65-91 mark this year.
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.
The Red Sox didn't get the desired results by replacing Francona, as his successor, Bobby Valentine, was fired last week after one season.
One of Francona's 10 seasons as a major league player was spent in Cleveland, as he played there in 1988. He also spent the 2001 season in the Indians' front office after he was fired in Philadelphia.
