"Tito" Francona is a well-known figure in American baseball, having served as both a player and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB). His career spanned from 1981 to 1988, playing for teams like the Montreal Expos and Cleveland Indians. He later transitioned into management, notably leading the Cleveland Indians/Guardians and Boston Red Sox.
1918: Red Sox First Championship Since 1918
In 2004, Terry Francona led the Red Sox to their first World Series victory since 1918, breaking the "Curse of the Bambino."
1918: End of Red Sox's Championship Drought
The Boston Red Sox's 2004 World Series triumph marked the end of their 86-year championship drought, dating back to their last victory in 1918.
April 22, 1959: Birth of Terry Francona
Terry Francona, nicknamed "Tito", was born on April 22, 1959, in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
1979: Pan American Games Representation
Terry Francona represented the United States in baseball at the 1979 Pan American Games.
1980: College World Series Victory and Awards
Terry Francona played a pivotal role in the University of Arizona Wildcats' victory in the 1980 College World Series, earning the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. He also received the prestigious Golden Spikes Award in the same year.
1980: Drafted by Montreal Expos
Terry Francona was selected by the Montreal Expos in the first round of the 1980 MLB draft.
August 19, 1981: Major League Debut with Montreal Expos
A week after the end of the player strike, on August 19, 1981, Terry Francona made his major league debut with the Montreal Expos.
1981: Major League Debut
Terry Francona made his major league debut with the Montreal Expos in 1981, primarily as an outfielder.
January 9, 1982: Francona Marries Jacque Lang
Terry Francona married Jacque Lang on January 9, 1982.
1984: Improved Batting Average
In 1984, despite limited playing time, Terry Francona showcased an impressive batting average of .346.
1985: Released by the Expos
Terry Francona was released by the Montreal Expos after the 1985 season due to a decline in his batting average.
1988: End of Playing Career
Terry Francona's playing career in Major League Baseball came to an end in 1988.
May 15, 1989: Pitching Appearance
On May 15, 1989, Terry Francona made an appearance as a pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, even striking out one batter.
1990: Final Season as Player
Terry Francona's playing career concluded in 1990 after a brief stint with the Milwaukee Brewers, marking the end of his 10 seasons in Major League Baseball.
1991: Coaching Debut
Terry Francona began his coaching journey in 1991 with the Sarasota White Sox, marking his transition from player to coach.
1992: Managing the South Bend White Sox
In 1992, Terry Francona took on the role of manager for the South Bend White Sox.
1992: Francona's Mother Dies
Terry Francona's mother, Roberta, died in 1992.
1993: Managerial Success with Birmingham Barons
Terry Francona's managerial prowess shone as he led the Birmingham Barons from 1993 to 1995, earning accolades like Southern League Manager of the Year and Baseball America's Minor League Manager of the Year in 1993.
1993: Phillies' NL Pennant Win
The Philadelphia Phillies had won the National League pennant in 1993.
1994: Top Managerial Candidate
Terry Francona was recognized as a top managerial candidate by Baseball America in 1994.
1995: Championship with Birmingham Barons and Managing Águilas Cibaeñas
Under Terry Francona's leadership, the Birmingham Barons clinched the Southern League championship in 1993. He also managed the Águilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican Winter League, leading them to victory in the championship and the Serie del Caribe in 1995–1996.
1996: Hired as Phillies Manager
Following the 1996 season, Terry Francona was appointed as the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.
1996: Third-Base Coach for Detroit Tigers
In 1996, Terry Francona joined the Detroit Tigers as their third-base coach, working alongside his former teammate Buddy Bell.
1997: Red Sox's Last Finish Below Second Place
Before their third-place finish in 2006, the last time the Boston Red Sox had concluded a season lower than second place was in 1997.
1997: Start of Phillies Management
Terry Francona's tenure as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies began in 1997.
1998: Third Place Finish
Both in 1998 and 1999, the Phillies, under the management of Terry Francona, finished in third place within their division.
1999: Best Finish with the Phillies
In 1999, Terry Francona guided the Phillies to their best finish during his tenure, achieving a 77-85 record.
2000: Fired by the Phillies
After the 2000 season, Terry Francona was let go from his position as the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.
2000: End of Phillies Management
Terry Francona's time as the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies concluded in 2000.
2001: Special Assistant Role with Cleveland Indians
In 2001, Terry Francona took on the role of special assistant to the general manager for the Cleveland Indians.
2002: Bench Coach for Texas Rangers
Terry Francona served as the bench coach for the Texas Rangers in 2002.
2002: Francona Suffers Pulmonary Embolism
Terry Francona suffered a life-threatening pulmonary embolism in 2002.
2003: Bench Coach for Oakland Athletics
Continuing his coaching journey, Terry Francona became the bench coach for the Oakland Athletics in 2003.
2003: Francona's Son Drafted by Red Sox
In 2003, Terry Francona's son, Nick, was drafted by the Boston Red Sox.
2003: Red Sox Loss in ALCS
The Boston Red Sox's journey in 2003 ended with a loss in the American League Championship Series.
2004: Francona Hired as Red Sox Manager
Following Grady Little's departure, Terry Francona was appointed as the manager of the Boston Red Sox in 2004.
2004: Red Sox's Historic World Series Victory
In a historic feat, Terry Francona led the Boston Red Sox to a remarkable comeback victory in the 2004 World Series. They became the first team in MLB history to overcome a 0-3 deficit in the ALCS, ultimately clinching their first World Series title since 1918, ending an 86-year championship drought.
2004: Red Sox Hires Francona as Manager
Terry Francona was hired to manage the Boston Red Sox in 2004.
2005: Red Sox Tie for First, Lose ALDS
Despite tying for first place in the American League East with the New York Yankees in 2005, the Red Sox lost the division title based on head-to-head record and were subsequently swept in the ALDS by the Chicago White Sox.
2005: Francona Hospitalized for Chest Pains
Terry Francona was hospitalized in 2005 after experiencing severe chest pains, though it was determined he did not have a heart attack.
2006: Red Sox Finish Third in AL East
The 2006 season saw the Red Sox struggle in the latter half due to injuries, leading to a third-place finish in the AL East, their lowest since 1997.
2007: Red Sox's Resurgence under Francona
In 2007, the Boston Red Sox, led by manager Terry Francona, made a remarkable comeback. They secured the AL East title for the first time since 1995, triumphed over the Angels in the Division Series, and overcame a challenging ALCS against the Cleveland Indians to reach the World Series.
2007: Second World Series Win with Boston
Terry Francona achieved his second World Series win as the manager of the Boston Red Sox in 2007.
February 24, 2008: Red Sox Extend Francona's Contract
On February 24, 2008, the Boston Red Sox demonstrated their confidence in Terry Francona by extending his contract. Originally set to expire after the 2008 season, the extension pushed the expiration date to after the 2011 season, with team options for 2012 and 2013. The deal guaranteed Francona a total of $12 million over the initial three years.
October 1, 2008: Francona's Impressive Managerial Record
By October 1, 2008, Terry Francona had established an impressive managerial record. He boasted a regular-season record of 755-703 and an even more remarkable postseason record of 22-9, the highest winning percentage among managers with at least 20 postseason games.
June 2, 2009: Francona Achieves 500 Wins with Red Sox
On June 2, 2009, Terry Francona reached a significant milestone, securing his 500th win as manager of the Boston Red Sox. This achievement placed him among the elite managers in the club's history, joining Joe Cronin and Pinky Higgins as the only managers with at least 500 wins for the Red Sox.
2009: Francona's Daughters Play Softball at UNC
In 2009, Terry Francona's daughters, Alyssa and Leah, played softball at the University of North Carolina.
May 6, 2010: Francona Manages 1,000 Games for Red Sox
On May 6, 2010, Terry Francona achieved another milestone in his managerial career by becoming the fourth individual to manage 1,000 games for the Boston Red Sox, further solidifying his place in the team's history.
July 23, 2011: Francona's 1,000th Win and Red Sox Departure
Terry Francona reached a significant personal milestone on July 23, 2011, by achieving his 1,000th win as a manager. However, the season ended on a disappointing note as the Red Sox experienced a historic collapse in September. Despite holding a commanding nine-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL Wild Card spot, the team faltered, finishing 7-20. Following the season's conclusion, the Red Sox made the decision to decline Francona's 2012 option, marking the end of his successful tenure with the team.
October 2011: Francona and Lang Separate
In October 2011, it was revealed that Terry Francona and Jacque Lang had separated and were in the process of divorcing.
December 5, 2011: Francona Joins ESPN
On December 5, 2011, Terry Francona signed with ESPN to be an analyst on Sunday Night Baseball, replacing Bobby Valentine.
2011: Departure from the Red Sox
Terry Francona's tenure as manager of the Boston Red Sox came to an end in 2011.
October 6, 2012: Francona Joins the Cleveland Indians
Terry Francona embarked on a new chapter in his managerial career on October 6, 2012, when he was appointed as the manager of the Cleveland Indians. He was formally introduced by the team on October 8, marking the beginning of his tenure in Cleveland.
2012: Francona's ESPN Work
During 2012, Francona worked as an analyst for ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, ESPN.com, and their Little League World Series Coverage.
November 12, 2013: Francona Wins AL Manager of the Year
Terry Francona's impact on the Cleveland Indians was recognized on November 12, 2013, when he was honored with the prestigious American League Manager of the Year award, acknowledging his exceptional leadership and guidance during the season.
2013: Cleveland Indians Appoints Francona as Manager
Terry Francona was appointed as the manager of the Cleveland Indians in 2013.
November 4, 2014: Francona's Contract Extension with the Indians
On November 4, 2014, the Cleveland Indians secured Terry Francona's managerial expertise for an extended period by agreeing to a two-year contract extension. This decision reflected the team's confidence in his leadership and the positive direction he was taking the franchise.
October 10, 2016: Indians Clinch ALCS Berth, Francona's Triumphant Return to Fenway
On October 10, 2016, Terry Francona's Cleveland Indians secured their place in the ALCS by completing a three-game sweep against Francona's former team, the Boston Red Sox. Notably, the clinching victory took place at Fenway Park, marking a triumphant return for Francona to his former home field.
October 19, 2016: Indians Advance to World Series, Francona's Historic Streak
On October 19, 2016, Terry Francona guided the Cleveland Indians to a victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, securing their place in the World Series. This achievement extended Francona's remarkable winning streak in World Series games to 9-0, a testament to his exceptional postseason managerial prowess.
November 15, 2016: Francona Earns Second AL Manager of the Year Award
Terry Francona's exceptional managerial skills were once again recognized on November 15, 2016, when he received his second American League Manager of the Year award. This accolade solidified his status as one of the most respected and successful managers in baseball.
2016: Francona's Daughter Graduates from Naval Academy
In 2016, Terry Francona's daughter, Jamie, graduated from the United States Naval Academy.
2016: American League Pennant Victory
Under the leadership of Terry Francona, the Cleveland Indians secured the American League pennant in 2016.
July 7, 2017: Francona Undergoes Catheter Ablation
On July 7, 2017, Terry Francona underwent a catheter ablation to address an irregular heartbeat.
July 8, 2017: Francona Released from Hospital
Terry Francona was released from the hospital on July 8, 2017, following his catheter ablation.
July 14, 2017: Francona Expected to Return
Terry Francona was expected to return to managing on July 14, 2017, after recovering from his procedure.
July 2017: Francona Misses All-Star Game
Terry Francona had to miss the 2017 MLB All-Star game due to his recovery.
2017: Record-Breaking Winning Streak
In 2017, the Cleveland Indians, managed by Terry Francona, achieved a 22-game winning streak, marking the longest in American League history and the second-longest in MLB history.
2017: Cleveland's Historic Win Streak and Francona's Health Challenge
The Cleveland Indians, under Terry Francona's leadership, achieved a historic feat in 2017 with a remarkable 22-game win streak. This incredible run, spanning from August 24 to September 15, placed them second on the all-time longest win streaks in Major League Baseball history. However, the season was not without its challenges, as Francona faced a health scare and underwent cardiac ablation.
2018: Francona's Father Dies
Terry Francona's father, Tito, died in 2018.
April 2019: Indians Extend Francona's Contract
In April 2019, the Cleveland Indians extended Terry Francona's contract, demonstrating their unwavering faith in his managerial abilities and commitment to the team's long-term success. The extension reflected the organization's recognition of his contributions and their desire for him to continue leading the team.
2020: Francona's Limited Games Managed Due to Health
In 2020, Terry Francona's managerial duties were significantly impacted by health issues, resulting in him managing only 14 games. Sandy Alomar Jr. stepped in as acting manager during Francona's absence, leading the team to a 28-18 record.
2020: Francona Misses Most of Season Due to Health
Terry Francona missed most of the 2020 season because of a blood clotting issue.
February 2021: Francona Undergoes Toe Surgery
In February 2021, Terry Francona underwent toe surgery to address a staph infection, marking another health challenge he faced during this period.
July 29, 2021: Francona Steps Aside for Health Reasons
On July 29, 2021, Terry Francona made the difficult decision to step away from managing the Cleveland Indians for the remainder of the season due to health concerns. This announcement followed a series of health issues he had been dealing with, including a gastrointestinal problem in 2020 that limited him to managing just 14 games, toe surgery for a staph infection in February 2021, and a persistent hip problem. Bench coach DeMarlo Hale assumed the role of interim manager in Francona's absence.
2022: Francona's Return and Record-Breaking Season
In 2022, Terry Francona returned to manage the Cleveland Guardians, becoming the longest-tenured manager in MLB with the same team. The games he missed in 2021 were credited to his record, making him the all-time Indians/Guardians leader in wins by a manager. He led the team to their first playoff appearance since 2020 and first AL Central title since 2018. Francona also won the American League Manager of the Year award.
October 3, 2023: Francona Steps Down as Guardians Manager
On October 3, 2023, Terry Francona announced his decision to step down as manager of the Cleveland Guardians, concluding his tenure with the team.