Terry Francona, a two-time World Series champion and three-time American League Manager of the Year, has been appointed as the new manager of the Cincinnati Reds. The 65-year-old Francona signed a three-year contract with a club option for the 2028 season, marking his return to Major League Baseball after stepping down from the Cleveland Guardians in 2023 due to health concerns.
Francona’s managerial career spans 23 seasons, during which he amassed a 1,950-1,672 record. He previously managed the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Cleveland Guardians. Notably, he led the Red Sox to two World Series titles in 2004 and 2007, ending the franchise’s 86-year championship drought. His tenure with the Guardians included a World Series appearance in 2016.
Expressing his enthusiasm for rejoining the Reds, Francona stated, “I am so excited and honored to join an organization with the tradition and history of the Cincinnati Reds.” He added, “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 … .”
Francona replaces David Bell, … managed the Reds to a 409-456 record over six seasons. The Reds’ leadership praised Francona’s experience and leadership qualities, with president of baseball operations Nick Krall stating, “Terry is a future Hall of … .”
Having played for the Reds in 198 … , Francona is familiar with the Cincinnati baseball community. He emphasized his commitment to fostering a culture of respect and excellence, stating, “My promise to the organization and to the fans is that I’ll spend all my energy ensuring that [players] spend all their energy trying to play the game right and with respect.”
Francona’s return to managing comes after a year focused on health and family. He acknowledged the challenges he faced, saying, “I stepped away because I didn’t think I was doing the job up to the caliber I thought was necessary. A lot of it was health, and it was getting in the way.” Now, feeling rejuvenated, he is eager to lead the Reds and leverage his extensive experience to guide the team toward future successes.
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