Oct 04 V7N -Terry Francona is coming out of retirement to become the new manager of the Cincinnati Reds, according to reports from MLB Network and ESPN on Thursday night. Francona previously stepped down as the manager of the Cleveland Guardians after the 2023 season due to health issues.

Despite his health struggles, which included stomach, hip, and shoulder ailments, as well as blood clots and a staph infection, the 65-year-old Francona will embark on his fourth major league managerial role. He aims to revitalize a Reds team that finished the season with a 77-85 record and missed the playoffs but boasts promising young talent like Elly De La Cruz and Hunter Greene. The Reds parted ways with manager David Bell at the end of the regular season.

Francona is celebrated for leading the Boston Red Sox to two World Series championships in 2004 and 2007, the latter of which marked the end of an 86-year championship drought for the team. Over his managerial career with the Philadelphia Phillies (1997-2000), Boston (2004-2011), and Cleveland (2013-2023), he has compiled a record of 1,950 wins and 1,672 losses, along with three pennants. His 2016 Cleveland squad notably fell to the Chicago Cubs in the World Series.

Francona also played as an outfielder and first baseman in the majors for several teams, including the Montreal Expos, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, and Milwaukee Brewers, finishing his playing career with a .274 batting average and 16 home runs in 707 games.

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