Francona Quits

"Terry Francona said it's going to hurt to leave his job as manager of the Red Sox, but it was the right time to walk away.

....

....Francona indicated it was his decision to move on."

8 months ago steve_z 12 comments 0 recs |

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Read More: terry francona, Boston Red Sox

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Yeah, sure it was his decision....

by NastyNate82 on Oct 1, 2011 12:31 AM EDT reply actions

Heard it was the ownership (John Henry and co) that wanted him out

Hard to blame him for that decsion given the dramatic collpase the team had with all the talent that’s on that team.

by Bradley James McEachern on Oct 1, 2011 2:32 AM EDT reply actions

Can't resist

“Henry was not present at management’s news conference due to a minor injury he suffered on his yacht earlier in the day.” — ESPN

What? Did he drop Bob Nutting’s wallet on his foot?

Did he sprain his wrist writing a check to Bud to thank him for finding new ways to screw small market teams?

Lino Donoso

by Lino Donoso on Oct 1, 2011 4:43 AM EDT reply actions

From right here on SBN:

It’s important to note that Francona has not technically been fired – technically, he was no longer under contract. The Red Sox have simply declined to exercise their options for 2012 and 2013.

And later (“earlier” in the article, as updates are added at the top) it’s said that it was mutual:

Tito said that after eight years here he was frustrated by his difficulty making an impact with the players, that a different voice was needed, and that it was time for him to move on. After taking time to reflect on Tito’s sentiments, we agreed that it was best for the Red Sox not to exercise the option years on his contract.

LNIK

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Oct 1, 2011 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

LNIK?

BUT IS HE GOING TO BE OUR NEW TRAINER?

by karreemofwheat on Oct 1, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Tito?

Epstein seriously calls him “Tito” over and over again?!? Talk about adding insult to injury.

by Aphthakid on Oct 2, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Tito, the master tactician...

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Oct 2, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Technically they didn’t pick up his option but mgmt didn’t want him back. Theo who IMO shares much more of the blame is still here, but I think he’ll be gone too likely to the Cubs. If a mid-market team made the mistakes that Theo has (Drew, Lugo, Lackey, Crawford just to name a few) the team would have to fold.

Yinzers uber alles

by BostonBuc on Oct 2, 2011 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

Theo

Drew wasn’t really a mistake. He was a pretty solid player for them until this year. Its way too early to pull the plug on Crawford too. I agree with you on the middle 2 though. All big market teams have made mistakes though (Cashman with Pavano, Jaret Wright). He’s also done some really good things with their farm system in good shape, some really good trades (Beckett, Gonzalez). In this specific case, why do you think Theo deserves more blame? Just for the bad signings or something else?

by NastyNate82 on Oct 2, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Not trying to argue here. Francona is the best manager in Sox history, likely a hall of famer if he does anything during the rest of his career. Theo has had unlimited money for the draft and players and can’t beat the Rays with 1/4 of payroll. I think Drew and Crawford are good players but they are WAY overpaid. There are many more to add to this list. That’s really my point.

The draft classes and player development while good on paper, have not really panned out as well as expected (not bad but not great). The Sox were trying to acquire a pitcher last week for a potential game 163. Theo failed at the deadline by getting Bedard. If they would have acquired Fister they would be in playoffs. I could go on.

In short, I think the responsibility for the Sox failure falls into three areas in descending order of responsbility: 1. the players 2. Theo 3. Francona. Francona currently is being singled out at as the scapegoat and the problem IMO is bigger.

Yinzers uber alles

by BostonBuc on Oct 2, 2011 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks

I just figured with your name, you’d have an interesting take on the situation up there. Agree with you on Francona, I think he would definitely be pretty worthy of the Hall if he builds on his resume somewhere else.
But I might disagree with you somewhat on the player development issue. Pedroia, Ellsbury, Lester and Bucholz are pretty significant difference makers, and I think they’ve got solid depth guys in Reddick and Lowrie…all guys drafted during Theo’s tenure (started in 2002, I believe). And though you’re right, they have tons of money to spend on the draft, they’re one of the only big market teams to ACT like it in the draft and actually spend the money on high ceiling talent. So while he is also active in the FA market, he is using the draft as well either to trade for pieces (like Gonzalez and Beckett) or add them to their core. Given his resume…I think the Cubs would take him over just about anyone out there.
Unfortunately, your third paragraph above illustrates the sad reality of sports. The failure often lies with the players or whoever assembled the team, but the middle man takes the fall.

by NastyNate82 on Oct 2, 2011 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Will Boston miss Francona next year?

It should be interesting to see who fills that void and he is much better in managing the team than Francona. My guess would it would have to be a veteran manager, not a young up and comer under the tutelage of someone. But it ought to be interesting.

by lfhlaw on Oct 5, 2011 1:18 PM EDT reply actions