David Bell was more of an act. Sometimes a good one, sometimes a bad one. In the end Bell could never turn that corner that the Reds needed for him to turn. During the off season the Reds went looking for a new manager. One with experience and a history of success. One with focus, but could bend when needed bending. In the end they found a manager that managed for three teams, won two World Series, and managed a total of 23 years.
Enter Terry Francona. The former Cleveland, Boston, and Philadelphia manager is tasked with taking a young Reds squad with a few elite players and turning them into contenders. Turning squads into contenders is nothing new for the new Reds’ skipper. After struggling in his early days with the Philadelphia Phillies, Francona took a few years of managing off. The Boston Reds Sox came calling. This time around Francona new what to expect and how to deliver. The Red Sox would win two World Titles in 8 years in Boston under Francona’s leadership.
After taking the 2012 year off, Cleveland wanted a piece of the Francona pie. The new Guardian skipper would lead Cleveland to a World Series and two American League Championship Series.
Let’s just be honest. The Reds have not been good for a long, long time. Outside of a playoff series in a Covid-shortened season in 2020, Cincinnati has been absent from the playoffs for the better part of 10 years.
Francona will have his work cut out for him. He does have some super talented players to work with such as Elle De La Cruz, Matt Mclain, and Hunter Greene. Thus far the Reds are off to a typical Reds slow start. The team is 3-7 at press time and is in last place in the National League Central division. The good news is only three games separates first place from last place.
The Reds’ new manager will have his work cut out for him. There’s no doubt Francona will have a positive effect on what Cincinnati could be. How long that will take remains to be seen. It’s very early in the 2025 baseball season. Reds players are learning Francona’s style and expectations, while Francona is learning his new players tendencies and ability to face adversity. Francona has proven to be a manager that can get the job done. He may have more of a challenge with this Reds team, but until he’s proven wrong the odds are the new Reds will be a success with Terry Francona at the helm.