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Cleveland Indians: 2017 New Year’s Resolutions for Indians Fans

By Matthew Johns

Oct 15, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; The Cleveland Indians mascot cheers with the fans during game two of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; The Cleveland Indians mascot cheers with the fans during game two of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (far left) signals for a pitching change against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning in game three of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (far left) signals for a pitching change against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning in game three of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Trust in Tito

Since being hired as manager of the Indians after the 2012 season, Terry Francona has posted a 352-294 record and led the team to its first World Series appearance since 1997. He has also won AL Manager of the Year twice (2013, 2016).

His use of pitchers is incredibly unique and oftentimes baffling. If he has an eight-man bullpen, he will not hesitate to use all eight pitchers every night. Just because Andrew Miller and Cody Allen are conditioned to throw just one inning, he will not shy away from using them for two or more innings.

Most of the time, everything works out just fine. Then again, sometimes, things go awry. Because of his unique use of pitchers, when things do go sour, criticism pours down on Francona.

However, with the success that Francona has had as the skipper for the Indians, as well as his past success with the Boston Red Sox, it is time we all officially start trusting Tito. For better or for worse, through good times and bad, Francona gets the job done and, usually, makes the right decision.

We as fans are very lucky to have Francona managing our team. He has won AL Manager of the Year twice in the past four season for a reason – he is one of the best in the game. It is almost a guarantee that the Indians would not have won the AL pennant in 2016 if it were not for the managerial genius that Francona is.

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