Terry Francona enjoyed retirement, but not, apparently, as much as he enjoyed managing.
A little more than a year after retiring from the game, Francona, 65, is headed back to the dugout. Numerous reports Thursday night had Francona set to be named the next manager of the Cincinnati Reds. An announcement could come as soon as Friday.
Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona, who retired after the 2023 season, is coming out of retirement to manage the Cincinnati Reds. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)Getty Images
Francona, who led the Red Sox to championships in 2004 and 2007, managed the Cleveland Guardians from 2013 through the end of the 2023 season when he retired, citing, in part, health reasons for his decision. Francona was also worried that he didn’t have the same energy he once had to manage.
“It hasn’t been I think what people expected,” said Francona last May, appearing on an episode of the Fenway Rundown podcast. “I’m still trying to figure what part of the game I’ll miss, and that’s OK because after 40 years, you should miss something. But I think I was ready for (retirement); that’s the thing I don’t know if people understand. All the things that go into making you a productive manager, it was kind of becoming harder and harder. And I didn’t want to overstay my welcome. I didn’t want to be the old guy, that was kind of bitter — things like that.
“I thought the timing of (retirement) was actually pretty good. If there’s things I really miss, there’s probably ways to stay busy without overdoing it...I certainly keep an eye on what the (Guardians) are doing. What I’ve been catching myself doing is putting on the baseball package, seeing what game is close and then watching the last couple of innings. And I’ve really enjoyed it. But I don’t have that itch. I thought it through pretty thoroughly. I was ready for this. I think maybe it surprised people, but I was ready to maybe not to be quite as busy.”
In retirement, he had spent time golfing while also making public appearances and speaking to corporate groups.
Francona owns a 1,959-1,672 record with three teams — the Red Sox (2004-2011), the Guardians (nee Indians) and the Philadelphia Phillies (1997-2000).
He takes over for David Bell, who was fired last week by the Reds. Cincinnati finished fourth in the National League Central this year with a 77-85 record. The franchise has reached the postseason just once since 2013.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com was the first to report Francona’s hiring.
