The Reds have hired Terry Francona as their new manager, announcing on Friday morning that they have agreed to a three-year contract with a club option for 2028. They officially introduced him at a news conference on Monday.
Francona, 65, who stepped down as Guardians manager after the 2023 season, returns to the dugout having managed three teams over a 23-year career. He has a 1,950-1,672 record with the Phillies (1997-2000), Red Sox (2004-2011) and Guardians (2013-2023). He led the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007.
Francona’s hiring comes 12 days after the Reds parted ways with David Bell.
In six seasons under Bell, Cincinnati went 409-456 (.473), never finishing above third place in the National League Central outside of the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign (31-29 record, second-place finish).
With young and rising stars like Elly De La Cruz, Hunter Greene, Spencer Steer and Matt McLain, as well as promising prospects like Rhett Lowder, the Reds are looking to take the next step and reach the playoffs following a full season for the first time since 2013.
Francona’s reputation precedes him. Upon taking the helm in Boston in 2004, he led a Red Sox team that hadn’t been able to get past the rival Yankees to an ALCS upset before its first World Series title in 86 years. Boston won another title under Francona three years later, and overall, he guided the Red Sox to the postseason five times in his eight seasons as manager.
In 2013, Francona became manager in Cleveland, leading that club to the postseason for the first time in six years. In ’16, Cleveland reached the World Series, but lost in seven games to the Cubs. Overall, Francona became the winningest manager in Cleveland history, going 921-757 with six postseason appearances in 11 years. He also won three American League Manager of the Year Awards in that span (2013, ’16 and ’22).
Following the 2023 season, Francona stepped down as Guardians manager due to health reasons, but said he hoped to return to baseball in some capacity when healthy again.
Francona played for the Reds in 1987 as part of his 10-year playing career.
