Terry Francona has dedicated much of his life to baseball, spending nearly a decade as a player before building a Hall of Fame-worthy managerial career. However, his success has come with a price.
The two-time World Series champion has dealt with numerous health issues over the years, ultimately leading to his retirement after the 2023 season. But after a year away from the game, Francona is ready to usher in what could be an exciting new chapter for the Cincinnati Reds.
Following his retirement, Francona underwent shoulder replacement surgery and a double hernia repair, getting himself back to a place where he felt physically capable of returning to the dugout. However, the three-time AL Manager of the Year wasn’t looking to take just any job—the situation had to be the right fit.
A young, talent-rich, small-market team in Ohio proved to be the perfect match for Francona, whose infectious energy has long been a hallmark of his leadership.
“I was not thinking about coming back to manage,” Francona told MLB Network’s Mark DeRosa and Brian Kenny from the Reds’ spring training facility in Goodyear, Arizona. “I had a good year, I really did. When they came [to me]… it just felt right. It felt right 12 years ago when I was in Cleveland, and it felt right again. I like where I’m at, and that’s a good thing.”
Can Terry Francona help the Reds put it all together?
The 24th-year MLB manager sees what many fans also recognize in the Reds: immense potential. While he was managing the Cleveland Guardians in 2023, Terry Francona likely kept a close eye on Cincinnati’s exciting midseason run.
The Reds went on a 12-game winning streak in June and looked ready to take the National League Central, only to cool off and fall two games shy of a Wild Card spot.
Last season was expected to be the one where the team truly came into its own, but injuries and regression led to a disappointing 77-85 finish.
Despite this setback, optimism still lingers at Great American Ball Park. The organization believes that Francona is the right person to help unlock that potential and guide the team forward.
Cincinnati has the ability to do damage in the NL
Elly De La Cruz, a superb athlete, is coming off an impressive All-Star season, during which he stole 67 bases (the most in MLB) and posted a .471 slugging percentage. If he can improve his plate discipline (he led the majors with 218 strikeouts), he could easily put himself in the NL MVP conversation.
Hunter Greene also had a quietly stellar year, finishing with a 2.75 ERA and 169 strikeouts in 150 1/3 innings. If he can stay healthy—a constant challenge for the right-handed starter—a Cy Young award could be within reach.
In addition to De La Cruz and Greene, the Reds have a wealth of young talent, including Matt McLain, Will Benson, Andrew Abbott, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Spencer Steer, who is currently dealing with a shoulder issue in spring training.
While Terry Francona can’t control everything, if he can bring some of the magic that turned the Boston Red Sox into a powerhouse in the mid-2000s and helped Cleveland reach the World Series in 2016, the Reds could experience a significant resurgence. Whatever challenges lie ahead, Francona is excited and ready for the unexpected yet eagerly awaited journey with this promising team.
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