Terry Francona managed the Boston Red Sox from 2004 through 2011, and in his worst season, the Red Sox won 86 games. That was an anomaly, though, as he won 90 games or more in six of those eight seasons. After the Red Sox' ghastly collapse, though, he was unceremoniously dumped last season.
According to Ken Rosenthal, though, he'll get his new start with the Cleveland Indians:
Sources: Francona to manage #Indians. Announcement likely Monday.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 6, 2012
There were reports the Indians were leaning toward their former All-Star catcher, Sandy Alomar, Jr., but they decided to go with the experience over the familiarity.
The Indians were once contending this season -- no, really -- but the last time they were at the .500 mark was July 27, when they were 50-50. Since then, they went 18-44, which is pretty hard to imagine. Francona will get to manage a team that should have a rejiggered pitching staff.