May 23, 2013

Gammons: Mutual Interest Between Indians and Francona

September 28, 2012 by 19 Comments

Shortly after the Cleveland Indians announced the termination of manager Manny Acta, it was reported that the team had interest in former Boston Red Sox skipper Terry Francona. Per Peter Gammons, this interest appears to be a two-way street.

Gammons, naturally, is plugged in to the Boston scene and has nothing to gain from spreading false rumors about the team’s former manager. The operative word, however, continues to be “interest,” as this has varying levels of degree.

Francona, 53, is currently a broadcaster for ESPN after having his option declined by the Red Sox following the 2011 season. Playing for the Indians in 1988, he hit .311 in 212 at-bats. His father, Tito, was with the Tribe between 1959-1964, garnering league MVP votes in 1959 and an All-Star appearance in 1961.

[Related: Acta Goes Down, But Antonetti Should Have Gone With Him]

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  • The_Real_Shamrock

    It would be quite the coup if this somehow became a reality. It would help undo alot of the wrong decisions made this past offseason and season alike but I just can’t see it. Besides the $$$ and having to make probably less then he would at ESPN I can’t believe Francona is that tied to the Indians to want to come here to endure it. Of course the prospects at becoming the savior of the organization are there but realistically he’d probably have better success at turning water into wine then winning with the current team.

  • Dee P

    Don’t you mean water into beer?

  • ChadF

    Is everyone forgetting that Francona was a special assistant to Shapiro in 2001, so he already has a familiarity with the franchise along with everyone involved in the front office.

  • Garry_Owen

    Francona: “I love baseball.”
    Indians: “We kind of like baseball.”
    Mutual interest established.

  • architrance

    Alomar/Francona – Does it matter? “The Window” has shut, right?

  • JK

    But can he pitch and or hit?

  • cmm13

    More importantly can he hit right handed?

  • cmm13

    Great, now as long as the Indians and Pujols, Miggy, McCutcheon, Hamilton, Braun, CC, Lee, Verlander and Price all have a mutual interest Francona should have no problems.

  • Chucky Brown

    I would question his sanity if he chooses to take this job

  • Harv 21

    yep, that should clinch it.

  • Harv 21

    like the mutual interest I had with a high school lovely who ended up being a well-known movie actress. Her interest was that I stop following her around, please!

  • Garry_Owen

    Name and yearbook photo, or it didn’t happen.

  • nj0

    I like Francona. Boston really threw him under the bus.

  • mgbode

    I thought the mutual interest was in The Melt? I’ll bet Francona misses the place and would like a free airplane ride to visit it.

    or maybe he wants other teams to know he’s interested in managing again. i guess it could be that too.

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Pornography doesn’t count as actress! ;-)

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    He definitely got a raw deal and this past season showed he wasn’t the problem. I’m trying to get him back, lol.

  • FearTheRoo

    Isn’t it the Indians style to mention names like Francona and Alomar to get fans excited, then go ahead and hire someone like Acta instead out of nowhere? Just like this season ending up with Johnny Damon. They don’t look at the best now, but rather who was successful 5 years ago. As much as I like Francona I think the odds are against him already. Sandy has a 6 game tryout already and the support of the fans. If Terry gets the jobs and struggles next year, all you will hear are the “Good thing we didn’t get Alomar” from fans. Not to mention, how much of his success in Boston was a result of the gigantic payroll? I think he will really have to impress in his interview to get the gig.

  • Jordan Haws

    “what if” the Indians hired Terry Francona and used the Hafner, Sizemore, Ubaldo, Hernandez, Kotchman, and Hannahan money (about 27 million) to sign Dan Haren, Paul Maholm, Delmon Young, and Jonny Gomes to fill holes on the roster. “what if”……. haha

  • Harv 21

    I’ll do it for ya, Garry, but would rather not publish her name here. WFNY editors, I hereby grant you permission to give Garry underscore Owen my email address. Garry, I think we are of similar age and you’ll recognize her immediately. Give me a week to hit my attic to find the right year book and scan it and email it back. I can also share a funny follow up to my rejection that occured many years later. Not appropriate here, though.