Cleveland, OH – The Cleveland Indians have named former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona as their new skipper.
Francona guided the Red Sox to a pair of World Series titles during a mostly successful eight-year run that ended following a late-season collapse in 2010.
The Indians confirmed the naming of Francona as manager, and said a formal announcement would come Monday morning at Progressive Field.
"No further details or comments will be made available until that time out of respect for MLB protocol involving announcements during the postseason," the team said.
The 53-year-old Francona compiled a 744-552 record with the Red Sox and directed Boston to five postseason appearances, including the memorable 2004 run that ended the franchise's infamous 86-year drought without a world championship. He also helped the Red Sox to a four-game sweep of Colorado to capture the 2007 World Series.
His final season in Boston was far more tumultuous, however, with the Red Sox orchestrating the largest collapse in major league history by squandering a nine-game lead for the American League wild card after a 7-20 September.
Francona also piloted the Philadelphia Phillies for four seasons from 1997-2000 and has previous ties with the Indians, having served as a special assistant under current team president Mark Shapiro in 2001.
Cleveland fired manager Manny Acta on Sept. 27, with bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. taking over head duties for the final six games. The Indians completed the season with a 68-94 record and a fourth-place finish in the AL Central.
The Indians have not been to the playoffs since 2007.
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