Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Terry Francona

Discover the career path of Terry Francona, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Terrence "Tito" Francona is a prominent American professional baseball manager, currently managing the Cincinnati Reds. Before this, he successfully managed the Cleveland Indians/Guardians and the Boston Red Sox, leading the latter to two World Series titles, ending their 86-year championship drought. He also managed the Philadelphia Phillies. Prior to his managerial career, Francona was a Major League Baseball player from 1981 to 1990, playing for multiple teams including the Montreal Expos, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, and Milwaukee Brewers.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1915: Bill "Rough" Carrigan Championships

Terry Francona is only the second manager to guide two Red Sox clubs to World Series titles, the other being Bill "Rough" Carrigan, who led Boston to back-to-back championships in 1915 and 1916.

1916: Bill "Rough" Carrigan Championships

Terry Francona is only the second manager to guide two Red Sox clubs to World Series titles, the other being Bill "Rough" Carrigan, who led Boston to back-to-back championships in 1915 and 1916.

1918: First Championship Since 1918

In 2004, Terry Francona became the manager of the Boston Red Sox and led the team to their first championship since 1918.

1956: Tito Francona (Senior) in MLB

In 1956, Terry Francona's father, Tito Francona (Senior), began his career in Major League Baseball (MLB).

1970: End of Tito Francona (Senior)'s MLB Career

In 1970, Tito Francona (Senior), Terry Francona's father, concluded his Major League Baseball (MLB) career.

1980: Drafted by Montreal Expos

In 1980, Terry Francona was selected by the Montreal Expos in the first round of the MLB draft.

August 19, 1981: Major League Debut with Montreal

On August 19, 1981, Terry Francona made his major league debut with the Montreal Expos.

1981: MLB Debut

In 1981, Terry Francona began his Major League Baseball (MLB) career, playing for the Montreal Expos.

1984: Batting Average .346

In 1984, Terry Francona posted a .346 batting average in limited action for the Expos.

1985: Released by the Expos

Terry Francona's batting average slipped to .267. After the 1985 season, the Expos released him.

1988: End of MLB Playing Career

In 1988, Terry Francona's MLB playing career concluded after playing for several teams including the Montreal Expos, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, and Milwaukee Brewers.

May 15, 1989: Pitching Appearance

On May 15, 1989, Terry Francona made an appearance as a pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, striking out Stan Javier.

1990: Final Season as a Player

In 1990, Terry Francona played in three games for the Milwaukee Brewers, marking his final season as a player.

1991: Managed Sarasota White Sox

In 1991, Terry Francona managed the Sarasota White Sox of the Gulf Coast League, a rookie league.

1992: Managed South Bend White Sox

In 1992, Terry Francona managed the South Bend White Sox of the mid-level Class A Midwest League.

1993: Southern League Manager of the Year

In 1993, Terry Francona was named Southern League Manager of the Year and Baseball America's Minor League Manager of the Year after leading Birmingham to the Southern League championship.

1994: Top Candidate for the Big Leagues

In 1994, Baseball America named Terry Francona as the top candidate to make the jump to the big leagues.

1995: Managed Águilas Cibaeñas

In 1995, Terry Francona managed in the Dominican Winter League with the Águilas Cibaeñas.

1995: AL East Since 1995

In 2007, Terry Francona led the Red Sox to winning the AL East for the first time since 1995

1996: Hired as Phillies Manager

After the 1996 season, Terry Francona was hired as manager of the Phillies.

1996: Third-Base Coach for Detroit Tigers

In 1996, Terry Francona became the third-base coach for the Detroit Tigers, working under Buddy Bell.

1997: Start as Phillies' Skipper

In 1997, Terry Francona began his four seasons as the Phillies' skipper.

1997: Finished Lower Than Second Place

In 2006, Terry Francona's team finished lower than second place since 1997

1998: Phillies Finished Third Place

In 1998, the Phillies finished in third place, behind the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets.

1999: 77-85 Finish

In 1999, Terry Francona's best finish with the Phillies was 77–85.

2000: Fired After the 2000 Season

Terry Francona was fired after the 2000 season, ending his Phillies tenure with a 285–363 record.

2001: Special Assistant with Cleveland Indians

In 2001, Terry Francona served as a special assistant to the general manager with the Cleveland Indians.

2002: Bench Coach for Texas Rangers

In 2002, Terry Francona became a bench coach for the Texas Rangers.

2002: Postseason Miss

In 2006, the Red Sox finished third in the AL East at 86–76, missing the postseason for the first time since 2002 under Terry Francona's management.

2003: Bench Coach for Oakland Athletics

In 2003, Terry Francona served as a bench coach for the Oakland Athletics.

2004: Red Sox Manager & First Championship

In 2004, Terry Francona became the manager of the Boston Red Sox and led the team to their first championship since 1918.

2004: Led Red Sox to World Series Win

In 2004, Terry Francona led the Red Sox to a 98–64 record, swept the Anaheim Angels in the Division Series, and overcame a 3-0 deficit against the Yankees in the ALCS, then swept the St. Louis Cardinals to win their first World Series since 1918, ending 86 years of frustration for Red Sox fans.

2004: Hired by the Red Sox

In 2004, Terry Francona was hired to manage the Red Sox.

2005: Tied for First in AL East

In 2005, Terry Francona and the Red Sox posted a 95–67 record, tied with New York for first in the American League East, though they lost the division title due to their record against Boston during the season. They were then swept in the ALDS by the Chicago White Sox.

2005: ALDS Sweep

Terry Francona won his first seven playoff elimination games before being swept by the Chicago White Sox in the 2005 ALDS.

2006: Season Stumble

In 2006, the Red Sox, under Terry Francona, stumbled in the second half of the season due to numerous injuries, finishing third in the AL East and missing the postseason for the first time since 2002.

2007: Won AL East and World Series

In 2007, Terry Francona led the Boston Red Sox to win the AL East for the first time since 1995, swept the Angels in the Division Series, defeated the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS, and then swept the Colorado Rockies in the World Series.

2007: Second World Series with Boston

In 2007, Terry Francona secured his second World Series title as the manager of the Boston Red Sox.

February 24, 2008: Red Sox Extended Francona's Contract

On February 24, 2008, the Red Sox announced that they had extended Terry Francona's contract through the 2011 season, with club options for 2012 and 2013.

2008: Lost AL Pennant

In 2008, Terry Francona and the Red Sox finished with a 95–67 record, defeated the Angels in the ALDS, rallied against the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS, but ultimately lost Game 7 to the Rays, who claimed the AL Pennant.

June 2, 2009: 500th Win as Red Sox Manager

On June 2, 2009, Terry Francona recorded his 500th win as manager of the Red Sox, making him the third manager in club history to achieve this milestone.

May 6, 2010: Managed 1,000 Games for Red Sox

On May 6, 2010, Terry Francona became the fourth person to manage 1,000 games for the Red Sox.

July 23, 2011: 1,000th Win as Manager

On July 23, 2011, Terry Francona achieved his 1,000th win as a manager.

December 5, 2011: Francona Joins ESPN

On December 5, 2011, Francona signed with ESPN, joining their Sunday Night Baseball telecast, replacing Bobby Valentine.

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2011: End of Red Sox Management

At the end of the 2011 season, Terry Francona concluded his tenure as manager of the Boston Red Sox.

2011: Contract Extended to 2011

On February 24, 2008, Terry Francona's contract was extended to expire after the 2011 season.

October 6, 2012: Hired as Cleveland Indians Manager

On October 6, 2012, Terry Francona was hired as the manager of the Cleveland Indians.

2012: Analyst Role at ESPN

During the 2012 season, Terry Francona worked as an analyst on Sunday Night Baseball, contributed to ESPN.com, and contributed to ESPN's Little League World Series coverage.

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2012: Option Declined

Following the 2011 season, the Red Sox declined to exercise Terry Francona's 2012 option.

2012: Club Options for 2012

On February 24, 2008, Terry Francona's contract extension included club options for 2012.

2013: Cleveland Indians Manager

In 2013, Terry Francona became the manager of the Cleveland Indians.

2013: Callaway Joins Indians

Mickey Callaway was a coach for the Indians starting in 2013.

2013: Club Options for 2013

On February 24, 2008, Terry Francona's contract extension included club options for 2013.

November 4, 2014: Two-Year Extension

On November 4, 2014, Terry Francona agreed to a two-year extension with the Cleveland Indians.

October 10, 2016: Indians Clinch ALCS Berth

On October 10, 2016, Terry Francona's Cleveland Indians swept his former team, the Boston Red Sox, in the divisional series, securing a spot in the ALCS with a victory at Fenway Park.

October 19, 2016: Indians Advance to the World Series

On October 19, 2016, Francona's Indians defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, advancing to the World Series. In Game 1, the Indians beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0, extending Francona's World Series record to 9-0.

November 15, 2016: Francona Named American League Manager of the Year

On November 15, 2016, Terry Francona was named the American League Manager of the Year for the second time in his career, recognizing his successful management of the Indians.

2016: American League Pennant

In 2016, Terry Francona led the Cleveland Indians to an American League pennant.

2017: Successful Season with Cardiac Ablation

In 2017, Cleveland had another successful season under Francona, who underwent a cardiac ablation. A highlight was a 22-game win streak from August 24 to September 15.

2017: Callaway Departs

Mickey Callaway was a coach for the Indians until 2017.

2018: AL Central Title

In 2022, Francona led the Guardians to their first AL Central title since 2018.

April 2019: Francona's Contract Extended

In April 2019, the Indians extended Francona's contract for two more years, demonstrating confidence in his leadership.

2020: Playoff drought ends in 2022

In 2022, Francona led the Guardians to their first playoff appearance since 2020, marking the end of a two-year drought.

2022: Playoff Appearance and Manager of the Year Award

In 2022, Francona led the Guardians to their first playoff appearance since 2020 and their first AL Central title since 2018. He also won the 2022 American League Manager of the Year award.

October 3, 2023: Francona Steps Down as Manager

On October 3, 2023, Terry Francona announced that he was stepping down as manager, citing health issues. This marked the end of his tenure with the team.

October 4, 2024: Hired as Manager of the Cincinnati Reds

On October 4, 2024, Francona was hired as the manager of the Cincinnati Reds, agreeing to a three-year deal with the club.

July 13, 2025: Francona Earns 2,000th Win

On July 13, 2025, Terry Francona earned his 2,000th major league win when the Reds defeated the Colorado Rockies 4–2, becoming the 13th manager in MLB history to achieve this milestone.