Terry Francona knows many, many candidates inside and outside the Guardians organization who would be worthy of replacing him, but he won’t be recommending any of them to president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti or general manager Mike Chernoff.
Francona had a quick and emphatic answer Sept. 27 when asked whether he’ll suggest who the next manager should be. He is retiring after 11 years as manager at the conclusion of the game Oct. 1 with the Tigers.
Francona, 64, strongly hinted during a pregame news conference in August that this would be his last season. The announcement took reporters by surprise because it was unsolicited, but Antonetti and Chernoff already knew Francona’s plan.
“No,” he said even before the reporter finished the question. “I think they know how I feel about our coaches, but I don’t think that’s fair.
“For 11 years, I’ve been doing this the way I think is right. I don’t think it’s fair to (Antonetti and Chernoff) or the next person to put my stamp …There might be somebody come in 180 (degrees) different and it might be better. That’s the beauty of our game.”
Francona has been around baseball literally his entire life. His father, Tito Francona, played in the Major Leagues from 1956-70. Tito was playing for the Indians when Terry was born on April 22, 1959.
The younger Francona, his career cut short by knee injuries, played in the Majors from 1981-90. By 1991 he was working in the Chicago White Sox organization and by 1992 he was managing the South Bend White Sox, a Single-A team that in 2015 became the Single-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.
Francona managed the Phillies and Red Sox from 1997-2011 and during that time was not in a dugout for only three years (2001-03). He did not manage in 2012 after being fired by the Red Sox after the 2011 season. He began managing the Indians in 2013.
Referring to Antonetti and Chernoff, Francona said, “I think they know how I feel about our coaches,” but his knowledge of the baseball world extends much further. Antonetti would be wise to consult Francona, even if Francona doesn’t volunteer his opinion.
