Cleveland Guardians start offseason by bringing back Terry Francona

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 14: Manager Terry Francona of the Cleveland Guardians makes a pitching change during the eighth inning in game two of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on October 14, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

4 of 4

Francona’s History Makes Him the Ideal Fit

Cleveland fans may take Francona for granted, but the authority, leadership and stability that he has brought to a mid-to-small-market franchise is incredible. He is the longest-tenured manager in baseball, having been with Cleveland since 2013. During that time he has led them to six playoff appearances, to Game 7 of the World Series in 2016 and to this year’s amazing season. He has won the Manager of the Year award twice during that time – in 2013 and again in 2016. Maybe more impressive is in those 11 seasons, the Guardians have had a winning record in ten of them (the lone exception being an 80-82 record in 2021).

For his career, Francona has 1,874 wins and a .542 winning percentage across 22 major-league seasons with three clubs. Wherever he has gone, he has brought credibility and stability, and he has never left on bad terms. With so many young players, and the growth seen this season, searching for a new leader in the clubhouse would have been an unfortunate and unwelcome change. Guardians fans are lucky to have Tito.

Home/Cleveland Guardians News