By Dan Hock

3-time Manager of the Year has 11 postseason appearances

October 4, 2024

CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall will introduce Terry Francona as the club’s new field manager in a press conference on Monday at 10 a.m. at Great American Ball Park.

Francona, 65, has agreed to a 3-year contract through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028, to become the 65th field manager in club history and the 55th since 1900.

“I am so excited and honored to join an organization with the tradition and history of the Cincinnati Reds,” Francona said. “I only played one season for the Reds in 1987 but in that season, I learned that Cincinnati is a great baseball city. I want to thank Bob Castellini, Nick Krall, and Brad Meador for giving me this opportunity to manage the Reds. I can’t wait to start meeting and interacting with these good young players of ours.”

Francona has 23 years of Major League managerial experience, compiling an overall record of 1950-1672 (.538) for Philadelphia (1997-2000), Boston (2004-11), and Cleveland (2013-23). He has guided his teams to the Postseason 11 times, including 3 World Series appearances (2004, 2007, 2016). Overall, Francona owns a .564 winning percentage (44-34) in the playoffs.

“Terry is a future Hall of Fame manager that has experience winning with young talent,” Krall said. “I’m extremely excited that he wanted to be a Red, and he is the right person to take us towards our goal of winning a championship.”

A 3-time American League Manager of the Year (2013, 2016, 2022), Francona’s teams won at least 90 games in a season 12 times in his career. His 921 wins for Cleveland are the most in franchise history.

“Terry’s proven track record speaks for itself. He is an outstanding manager who will lead our Club forward.” said Bob Castellini, Reds Principal Owner and Managing Partner. “The Reds and all of Reds Country are proud to welcome Terry to Cincinnati.”

In 2022, Francona’s Guardians became the first team in American League history to qualify for Postseason play while having the youngest roster in the majors. It marked the first time since the 1986 New York Mets that the youngest team in baseball made the playoffs.

Francona owns an 11-4 record in the World Series. He won the first 9 World Series games he managed, the most without a loss in the history of the Fall Classic at the time.

From 2004 to 2020, Francona’s clubs posted a winning record in 16 consecutive seasons. That streak ended when Cleveland finished 80-82 in 2021.

Francona led the Red Sox to 5 playoff appearances and 2 World Series titles (2004 and 2007) during his 8-year tenure in Boston. The 2004 world championship ended the Red Sox’ 86-year drought.

In his 11 seasons as Cleveland’s manager, Francona led his teams to 6 playoff appearances (including 4 American League Central Division titles) and the 2016 American League pennant, the franchise’s first pennant since 1997.

Francona played in parts of 10 Major League seasons, including with the Reds in 1987. He was drafted in the first round by Montreal in 1980 and appeared in 365 games with the Expos from 1981-85. He also played for the Cubs (1986), Indians (1988), and Brewers (1989-90).

Terry’s father, Tito, played 15 years in the majors and was an American League All-Star with Cleveland in 1961.

COURTESY REDS MEDIA RELATIONS