Categories: Phillies News And Rumors

Phillies news and rumors 8/26: Terry Francona considering retirement

Terry Francona could retire at the end of the season. (Arturo Pardavila III from Hoboken, NJ, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Terry Francona’s longtime managerial career may be coming to a close.

Dealing with a number of health-related issues, the Guardians manager hinted at a possible retirement to reporters, including Brian Dulik of The Associated Press, earlier this week. Francona wouldn’t go as far as to announce a decision, but certainly made it seem like he’s heading in that direction.

“When I got done as a player, I had given everything I could,” Francona said Tuesday, “and I knew it and never looked back. I think that’s probably where I’m at now. I’m in a pretty comfortable place. I’m at peace with it.”

Francona, 64, first started managing in the major leagues in Philadelphia from 1997 to 2000. He led some unspectacular Phillies rosters to four losing seasons before being fired, drawing plenty of criticism in the city along the way. But that kicked off a legendary managerial run for Francona, one that has sustained success for the last 20 seasons.

Taking over as Red Sox manager in 2004, “Tito” was at the helm as Boston snapped the “Curse of the Bambino” and won its first World Series championship since 1918. Francona managed eight seasons with the Red Sox, winning another title in 2007.

After a September collapse in 2011, Boston let Francona’s contract expire without picking up his option for the next season. He worked in broadcasting for ESPN in 2012, but was hired by Cleveland in 2013 and has managed there since.

Francona’s run in Cleveland has resulted in three American League Manager of the Year awards (2013, 2016, 2022) and a World Series appearance in 2016. He’s the winningest manager in the history of the franchise, and 13th in the history of Major League Baseball.

But with health issues popping up in several of the last few seasons that have forced Francona to miss time, leaving the dugout for good is certainly a possibility. He recently had a shoulder replacement surgery, and two hernia surgeries are scheduled for the offseason.

Francona has shown that he can continue to lead a team as he battles these sorts of obstacles, but with a goal to get and stay healthy — and a Hall of Fame resume already built — Year 23 might be his final in the big leagues.

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