GOODYEAR, ARIZONA—Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona is a big hugger. He’ll run into someone around baseball who he worked with or played with years ago or maybe even seen pretty recently, and hugs them like they’re celebrating a World Series title.
On Tuesday, Francona was a part of Cactus League media day along with all of the other managers and GMs in Arizona this spring. Several managers and GMs were making beelines across the ballroom to “sneak attack” him from behind to embrace the Reds manager who has one of the best personalities in all of baseball.
“He’s one of my all-time favorites,” says Rockies manager Bud Black. “He can talk to all landscapes of players, executives, and owners. And it’s all authentic. It’s wonderful.”
When managers and GMs talk about Francona, their faces light up in a way you don’t usually see. It’s like they’re talking about their own family. “He loves the game of baseball,” says Angels manager Ron Washington. “And he loves the game of people.”
Francona has been around baseball for nearly all 65 years of his life. The only exception was last season during his gap year between manager stints in Cleveland and Cincinnati. His dad was a big leaguer. Francona himself was a big leaguer and then immediately got into coaching. Spend that much time in baseball, and you know pretty much everyone.
Tuesday’s event featured the top decision makers in the game, but Francona’s bonds are just as strong with clubhouse managers, broadcasters, and writers around the sport. He recently learned of a writer who retired and made a point to ask about the youth basketball team the writer coached. “Terry finds a way to bring out the best in people,” says Guardians President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti. “He does it with players and staff. He helps each individual find what they need to be successful.”
Francona knew Tuesday’s crowd particularly well. Antonetti, who worked side-by-side with him in Cleveland for over a decade, crossed through a crowded room of reporters for some time with him.
Francona met current Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer in 2003 when Francona was interviewing for the Red Sox manager job and Hoyer was on Boston’s staff. Francona still remembers how much Hoyer ate that night at a seafood restaurant.
Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen and Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto were in Boston’s front office when Francona managed the Red Sox. Francona gave current Royals manager Matt Quatraro his big break in coaching, making him the Guardians’ assistant hitting coach. He says Francona made him feel like that was the most important decision he made all year.
Black and Washington played with Francona. When Francona made his first visit to Fenway Park as a player, he and Black went on their own unofficial tour of the place. Athletics manager Mark Kotsay played for Francona in Boston. So did Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who joked that his best Francona story was sharing a shot of Jack Daniels during the 2004 World Series.
Francona thought the drink wasn’t really alcohol, but a bold Red Sox clubhouse came up with that unexpected tradition that’s remembered in the history books. Along the way, he showed Roberts how to manage a baseball club. “He just loves baseball,” says Roberts.
The game loves him back. “He wants to make a difference in people’s lives,” Antonetti says. After those close to Francona discuss his personality, they make a point to stress how good he is at the job. “He makes it a championship environment,” says Antonetti.
Over the years, a number of opposing managers have been outmaneuvered by Francona, a three-time MLB manager of the year. In the eyes of his competition, his teams always seem to find a few extra wins over the course of a season. “He’s just so good at what he does,” says Rangers manager Bruce Bochy. “He knows the game. He knows how to run a game.”
Some of the more senior managers around baseball give Francona credit for being one of the first coaches in their generation to really embrace analytics. He knows the numbers, works with his analytics staff, and has a good understanding of exactly the type of information that he’s looking for.
Francona is also among the last generation of managers that learned how to run a game before the analytics movement. His peers see a combination of old school and new school as he makes in-game decisions. “He has very good instincts,” says Giants manager Bob Melvin. “He knows people. He knows players. He knows when to make changes. He can’t write you an algorithm, but his instincts are off the chart. Players feel that.”
The big question no one has an answer for is how many wins all of this experience is worth. Francona was confident in the Reds’ outlook when he took the job and is as optimistic as you’d expect about the young core. At age 65, he didn’t have to return to the dugout, but the Reds job was the right fit.
Francona has plans to create a better environment for player development, improve the team’s defense and base running, help teach these young guys how to win, and lead the Reds to the playoffs. The 2025 Reds have that potential, but they have a long way to go to get there.
Francona’s impact can’t be measured yet. But as he gets to know the new faces in Cincinnati, his command of the room, relatability, sense of humor, and competitiveness have already left an impression. It gives the Reds a confidence boost heading into the season because they know that their manager knows how to win.
“His track record precedes him,” says Reds ace Hunter Greene. “We all trust him already. We haven’t been to the playoffs in a while. Knowing that we have that piece covered is very securing.”
Charlie Goldsmith has covered the Reds and Bengals since 2020, and his newsletter on the teams can be found at charlieschalkboard.substack.com. He’s @CharlieG__ on X.
Facebook Comments