Terry Francona: Portrait of a Manager
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by BoSox Buzz
There may only be a few jobs under more scrutiny in the United States than being manager of the Boston Red Sox...
- President of the United States
- Chairman of the Federal Reserve
- Manager of the New York Yankees
- Parents of the Spears/Federline children
Are a few that come to mind...
Terry "Tito" Francona may be the best and most articulate manager in baseball that does not get his due. Since arriving in Boston in 2004 his teams have gone 375-273 (winning percentage of .579), his teams have also been to the playoffs three times while compiling a 14-6 record. Not to mention the whole 2004 World Series Championship thingy.
Oft mentioned as "Francoma" by fan sites like www.bostondirtdogs.com or "Terry Francona: Boston's gifted zookeeper" by main stream media outlets like www.sportingnews.com Francona is continually second guessed and berated in his endeavors in every instance of his managerial style. When Francona leaves a pitcher in too long or decides not to attempt a bunt when maybe the situation is calls for it drives every reporter, blogger, radio host, and t.v. personality within a 100 Mile radius of Fenway Park in to situational panic. Sometimes (actually most of the time) in situations where it rarely has an outcome that effects the game. But I am sure there are a few instances where every manager would like to approach it differently.
When it comes down to it Francona has had a great run and looks to carry it not only through the rest of this year stating again tonight but for years to come. He has handled himself with class, dignity, and most importantly with the respect of all his players and the rest of the MLB and it's employees.
An example of how Francona is very classy would have to be his comments in the NY Daily News on Yankees Manager Joe Torre, "I have a lot of respect for how Joe does things," Francona said. "It's one of those things where I've talked to Joe a lot actually this year, before series and after series - never out on the field because people don't want to see that. "We've spoken quite a few times. Just about the chaos of our series, you know, how it's tough on everybody. I have a lot of respect for Joe."
And we as Red Sox fans need to show Terry Fancona that same respect. He is a stand up man with great character and loyalty. Terry once remarked on a Radio (weei??) program that he is always under scrutiny, one time in particular he was in an elevator and a fan questioned his approach to a game situation. Francona went on to say, "he doesn't go into a dentists office and stand over the shoulder of a dentist and say, Oh no you should have pulled that tooth!"
To me Francona is an excellent manager and more importantly an awesome human being. He may not be the biggest name or most recognizable manager in the game but thirty or forty years from now we will look back on this time period in Red Sox history and realize his greatness. I hope the rest of this season goes well for Francona and the Red Sox because it is clear he is a great manager in a great town that has a great baseball team.
Peace and Happiness, GO SOX!
-Michael
http://bosoxbuzz.blogspot.com/
