Cleveland, OH – According to multiple reports, the Cleveland Indians have reached agreement with former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona to become their new skipper.
FOXSports.com reported on Saturday that the Indians will hire Francona, who 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. In addition, interim manager Sandy Alomar Jr. told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the team informed him of its plans to bring in Francona.
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. The 53- year-old 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.
According to FOXSports.com, the Indians are expected to officially announce Francona's addition on Monday.
Cleveland fired manager Manny Acta on Sept. 27, with bench coach Alomar taking over head duties for the final six games. The Indians completed the season with a 69-94 record and a fourth-place finish in the AL Central.
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