BREAKING: Reds’ Terry Francona drops truth bomb on year off ahead of 2025 return
The Cincinnati Reds are set to embark on their first season under new manager Terry Francona. Though it’s his debut year in Cincinnati, Francona brings a wealth of experience from his time as both a player and a manager.
The two-time World Series-winning skipper returns to the dugout after stepping down as the Cleveland Guardians’ manager in 2023, citing health concerns as the primary reason for his departure. After 11 straight seasons leading Cleveland, Francona spent the 2024 MLB season away from the game, and by his own admission, he didn’t miss managing as much as some expected.
“I’m trying to tell people, and I don’t think they really believed me, but I really didn’t miss it that much,” Francona told USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale. “I had a good year. When you know you need to step away, you’re probably a little late stepping away.”
As his health improved, Francona started contemplating his future.
“I felt I was short-changing some people over there in Cleveland,” the 65-year-old said. “And that’s not a good feeling. So you start taking care of yourself, and you feel good, and I still wasn’t thinking about managing. I was starting to think about, ‘OK, what do I want to do? How busy do I want to get?’”
“I’m trying to tell people and I don’t think they really believed me, but I really didn’t miss it that much,” Francona said (h/t Bob Nightengale USA TODAY). “I had a good year. When you know you need to step away, you’re probably a little late stepping away.”
Initially content with retirement, Francona found himself intrigued by the opportunity in Cincinnati—much like he was when he took the Cleveland job over a decade ago.
Now, the three-time AL Manager of the Year, who led the Boston Red Sox to championships in 2004 and 2007, takes over a Reds team that regressed in 2024. After finishing 82-80 in 2023, Cincinnati fell to 77-85 last season, missing the playoffs for a fourth straight year. Francona will look to bring his trademark leadership and experience to turn things around.