The information was stunning given the truth that Francona, 65, stepped away from baseball following the 2023 season as supervisor of the Cleveland Guardians for well being causes. A yr eliminated, the Reds have been in a position to signal Francona to a three-year deal and a membership choice for the 2028 season.
Talking at his introductory information convention on Monday, Francona shed some mild on his resolution to return out of retirement to turn out to be the Reds supervisor.
“I actually did not see myself managing once more,” Francona mentioned, through ESPN. “I had a very good yr away from the sport. The Reds got here out to go to and it simply felt proper.”
One in all Francona’s focal factors is placing emphasis on accountability, per MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon.
“I firmly imagine that gamers get pleasure from being coached, so long as there’s all the time a strong cause and also you’re extremely organized. And that we are going to be,” Francona mentioned. “My promise to the group and to the followers is I’ll spend all my vitality making certain they spend all of their vitality attempting to play the sport accurately and with respect.”
The announcement comes on the heels of the Reds firing David Bell on Sept. 22 with only a week left within the common season. Bell compiled a 409-456 (.473) document throughout his six seasons as supervisor of the Reds group.
One issue that will have led to Francona’s resolution is his time as a participant for the Reds in 1987. Francona mentioned the expertise and athletic skill of that group “jogs my memory numerous the group we now have right here now.”
Regardless of the Reds ending the 2024 season with a disappointing 77-85 document, it’s exhausting to argue the extent of expertise on the group. There’s shortstop Elly De La Cruz, who led the group in residence runs (25), hits (160), and recorded a whopping 67 stolen bases, RBI chief Spencer Steer and second baseman Jonathan India, simply to call a couple of. The Reds additionally possess numerous younger pitching expertise, led by strikeout chief Hunter Greene.
In his profession as a supervisor, Francona has put collectively a 1,950-1,672 (.538) document, successful World Collection titles with the Purple Sox in 2004 and 2007.
Regardless of a yr away from the sport, Francona appears keen to affix the Reds and maybe make the most of the similarities he sees between the present roster and the 1987 group he performed for.
