The Cleveland Indians' consistent run at the top of the AL Central has led them to keeping manager Terry Francona around for two more years than expected. The Indians signed Francona to a two-year contract extension on Wednesday, keeping him with the team through the 2022 season. The manager's deal was set to expire after the 2020 campaign, with this being his seventh season in Cleveland. He is now on pace to become the longer-tenured manager in Indians' franchise history, assuming there are no slip-ups between now and the end of his contract.
The former Boston Red Sox manager was hired by Cleveland in 2013, and has since led them to three straight American League Central Division Titles and a World Series appearance in 2016. Unfortunately for them, that series ended in seven games with a defeat at the hands of the Chicago Cubs, including a thrilling Game 7 loss in 10 innings. They have made the Postseason four times under Francona, and are once again the favorites to win the division in 2019. They have the best record in the American League since Francona became their manager, and have finished with a winning record in six seasons.
Francona also helped the Red Sox to some success after a long drought, helping them snap their 86-year World Series Title drought with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004. He also led them to a championship in 2007 over the Colorado Rockies, before getting let go by Boston in 2011. He spent one year as an analyst on ESPN before joining the Indians, and now could very well end his managerial career with The Tribe.
The former Boston Red Sox manager was hired by Cleveland in 2013, and has since led them to three straight American League Central Division Titles and a World Series appearance in 2016. Unfortunately for them, that series ended in seven games with a defeat at the hands of the Chicago Cubs, including a thrilling Game 7 loss in 10 innings. They have made the Postseason four times under Francona, and are once again the favorites to win the division in 2019. They have the best record in the American League since Francona became their manager, and have finished with a winning record in six seasons.
Francona also helped the Red Sox to some success after a long drought, helping them snap their 86-year World Series Title drought with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004. He also led them to a championship in 2007 over the Colorado Rockies, before getting let go by Boston in 2011. He spent one year as an analyst on ESPN before joining the Indians, and now could very well end his managerial career with The Tribe.
