Re: Red Sox, Francona to meet. Signs point to the end.

[MrCub14]

Official: Francona, Red Sox split

 

By: Gordon Edes

ESPNBoston.com

 

http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/7040260/terry-francona-boston-red-sox-part-ways-two-titles

 

BOSTON -- Terry Francona and the Red Sox agreed that he will not return as manager, the team announced on Friday.

 

Francona met with owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner, team president Larry Lucchino, general manager Theo Epstein and assistant GM Ben Cherington on Friday at Fenway Park. He left and then returned.

 

Epstein initially put out a statement saying all sides wanted to think about the meeting and no announcement was forthcoming, but then a statement came out in the evening in which Francona indicated it was his decision to move on.

 

"I've always maintained that it is not only the right, but the obligation, of ownership to have the right person doing this job," he said. "I told them that out of my enormous respect for this organization and the people in it, they may need to find a different voice to lead the team.

 

"In my eight seasons as manager of the Boston Red Sox, I have developed a tremendous appreciation for Red Sox Nation. This is a special place with some of the most knowledgeable and passionate fans in all of baseball. They packed Fenway Park for every game and because of them, I had a special sense of pride coming to work every day."

 

The team portion of the release said that Red Sox brass agreed with Francona.

 

"During the meeting, Tito, Theo and Ben agreed that the Red Sox would benefit from an improved clubhouse culture and higher standards in several areas," the statement said. "Tito said that after eight years here he was frustrated by his difficulty making an impact with the players, that a different voice was needed, and that it was time for him to move on. After taking time to reflect on Tito's sentiments, we agreed that it was best for the Red Sox not to exercise the option years on his contract."

 

Francona had told staff members on Thursday that he would not be returning as manager, a club source told ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes on Friday.

 

Several other media outlets reported Friday that Francona would not return for a ninth season. He led the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 -- their first since 1918 -- and 2007.

 

Saying he had a "personal friendship" with Francona and praising him for being "an unflappable leader," Epstein granted that the Red Sox might need a new voice. But he said that Francona's "next team will benefit more than it knows from hearing Tito's voice. I will miss seeing Tito every day in the manager's office, and I wish him and his family nothing but the best in their next chapter."

 

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz said earlier Friday he was "fine with Tito" but he did hint that the clubhouse had issues, something Francona acknowledged on Thursday.

 

"I worry about playing baseball more than anything else," Ortiz said. "I know we have some players that (the organization thought were) worried about some other s--- and sometimes there were certain things that no one in the clubhouse can control. I was trying and I have no issues. My only problem was when I started being benched (in 2010) and that was my only issue with Tito. Other than that we're cool."

 

Ortiz wasn't expecting Francona to leave. "I am surprised," he said. "I'm surprised because I'm hearing things right now (in the news) that I didn't know were going on."

 

On Thursday, Francona said that this Red Sox team had issues that he thought affected its play. He spoke Thursday about a team meeting he called in Toronto in the aftermath of a 14-0 win on Sept. 6.

 

"I'm not sure if anybody knew, because there were some things I was worried about," he said. "I think we were spending too much energy on things that weren't putting our best foot forward toward winning. We spent a few minutes in the clubhouse that day, talking about that. There were some things that did concern me.

 

"Teams normally, as the season progresses, there are events that make you care about each other, and this club, it didn't always happen as much as I wanted it to. And I was frustrated by that."

 

The Boston Herald reported one divisive issue, citing sources as saying that pitchers were allowed to drink beer in the clubhouse on their off-days. A Red Sox source not only confirmed to ESPNBoston.com that was the case, but also said that it "has been going on for two years."

 

Ortiz is a free agent and was asked if the manager leaving would affect him re-signing with Boston.

 

"Not at all," he said. "That's one thing I can't really control, who the manager's going to be. That's not on me."

 

Gordon Edes covers the Red Sox for ESPNBoston.com. Information from ESPNBoston.com's Joe McDonald and The Associated Press was used in this report.

Edited September 30, 2011 by MrCub14

[Schwarber Fan]

prob should move this to Cubs discussions... go get em

[Little Slide Rooter]

Red Sox, Francona Expected To Part Ways

By Mark Polishuk [september 29 at 11:35pm CST]

11:35 pm: Francona will ask the Red Sox to decline his option years, reports Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. A Major League source tells Van Schouwen that Francona "has had his fill of the whole thing" in Boston and wishes to leave.

 

11:10 pm: Terry Francona is likely on his way out as the manager of the Boston Red Sox, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Francona is scheduled to meet with team management on Friday.

 

Rosenthal's sources say that it isn't completely certain that Boston will cut ties with Francona, but "it is the likely outcome, in part because he is pressing for a resolution" as to whether or not the Sox will pick up the option years on the manager's contract. The two-year option pickup would pay Francona $8.75MM over the next two seasons, but it seems like Boston will instead pay Francona the $0.75MM buyout. As Rosenthal notes, Francona would be immediately free to go elsewhere, and he cites the Cubs and White Sox as potential suitors.

 

Francona's departure would put the exclamation point on Boston's unlikely September meltdown. Just three weeks ago it seemed like a lock that Francona's option years would be exercised and he would remain the Red Sox manager for years to come. The club's stunning collapse down the stretch, however, sealed Francona's fate, particularly when stories surfaced of Francona feeling "bulletproof" about his job security and Peter Gammons' claim of "an increasing disconnect" between Francona and Theo Epstein.In eight years as Boston's manager, Francona has a 744-552 record, reaching the playoffs five times and winning two AL pennants. Though his tenure with the team may have ended on a sour note this September, Francona will always be a legendary figure in Red Sox history for managing the club to World Series championships in 2004 and 2007.

 

 

I'd love to have him, but if the bolded is true, I doubt we'd be able to get both he and Epstein. Still, it's worth a shot to let them build for us what they built there.

 

I'd love both, but if it comes down to either or, I'd take Epstein all the way.

[idakepps]

I like Francona, but managers with a solid track record are harder for a GM to control. I'd say that's the problem here with Epstein and Francona -- a clash of egos. I thought Hendry was on the right track by hiring a non-celebrity manager, but whether you like his style or not, Francona is absolutely a celebrity manager at this point. Not sure that's what this team needs right now, especially since we're likely to end up with a first time GM.

[EhDubya]

I like Francona, but managers with a solid track record are harder for a GM to control. I'd say that's the problem here with Epstein and Francona -- a clash of egos. I thought Hendry was on the right track by hiring a non-celebrity manager, but whether you like his style or not, Francona is absolutely a celebrity manager at this point. Not sure that's what this team needs right now, especially since we're likely to end up with a first time GM.

 

We are?

[shnsajax]

If Theo is leaving wouldnt he let the next GM make this discussion. Unless getting rid of him is coming from upstairs.

 

I'll take Theo over Terry.

[idakepps]

I like Francona, but managers with a solid track record are harder for a GM to control. I'd say that's the problem here with Epstein and Francona -- a clash of egos. I thought Hendry was on the right track by hiring a non-celebrity manager, but whether you like his style or not, Francona is absolutely a celebrity manager at this point. Not sure that's what this team needs right now, especially since we're likely to end up with a first time GM.

 

We are?

 

My opinion. Beane is already being ruled out, doubt Freidman will go anywhere and if he does he'll go to Houston, and I think Epstein is just allowing the Cubs speculation to exist as leverage. I think it's Hahn, with DiPoto having a small chance.

[Irishoshea21]

I like Francona, but managers with a solid track record are harder for a GM to control. I'd say that's the problem here with Epstein and Francona -- a clash of egos. I thought Hendry was on the right track by hiring a non-celebrity manager, but whether you like his style or not, Francona is absolutely a celebrity manager at this point. Not sure that's what this team needs right now, especially since we're likely to end up with a first time GM.

 

We are?

 

My opinion. Beane is already being ruled out, doubt Freidman will go anywhere and if he does he'll go to Houston, and I think Epstein is just allowing the Cubs speculation to exist as leverage. I think it's Hahn, with DiPoto having a small chance.

 

If no Theo/Beane/Andrew, go with Cherrington.

[SouthSideRyan]

I like Francona, but managers with a solid track record are harder for a GM to control. I'd say that's the problem here with Epstein and Francona -- a clash of egos. I thought Hendry was on the right track by hiring a non-celebrity manager, but whether you like his style or not, Francona is absolutely a celebrity manager at this point. Not sure that's what this team needs right now, especially since we're likely to end up with a first time GM.

 

We are?

 

My opinion. Beane is already being ruled out

 

He is?

 

doubt Freidman will go anywhere and if he does he'll go to Houston,

 

He would?

 

and I think Epstein is just allowing the Cubs speculation to exist as leverage.

 

Based on?

[Derwood]

ESPNRadio seems to think the White Sox are first in line for Francona

[SouthSideRyan]

ESPNRadio seems to think the White Sox are first in line for Francona

 

I'm guessing Francona would want a little more than the $9.50/hour Reinsdorf would offer.

[davearm2]

I'm going to predict Epstein takes the Cubs job, but he doesn't want to bring Francona along to be his mgr.

[javy knows my name]

ESPNRadio seems to think the White Sox are first in line for Francona

 

I'm guessing Francona would want a little more than the $9.50/hour Reinsdorf would offer.

 

Seriously, the only reason the White Sox are being mentioned is because they are the most recent team to be without a manager.

[mul21]

I like Francona, but managers with a solid track record are harder for a GM to control. I'd say that's the problem here with Epstein and Francona -- a clash of egos. I thought Hendry was on the right track by hiring a non-celebrity manager, but whether you like his style or not, Francona is absolutely a celebrity manager at this point. Not sure that's what this team needs right now, especially since we're likely to end up with a first time GM.

 

We are?

 

My opinion. Beane is already being ruled out

 

He is?

 

doubt Freidman will go anywhere and if he does he'll go to Houston,

 

He would?

 

and I think Epstein is just allowing the Cubs speculation to exist as leverage.

 

Based on?

 

His opinion, as he clearly stated in the first 2 words of his post.

[MrCub14]

It's official! Red Sox and Francona part ways.

[Sammy Sofa]

Man, I'd love to see this happen.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

One of my favorite managers. Itd be very nice to bring him on, but there is a bs worry that the magic is going to be a little harder to capture with team 2.

 

He's being Randolph for my next manager hope.

[erik316wttn]

Of Theo or Francona, I'd obviously rather have Theo, but if we can't land him I hope whoever our GM is hires Francona.

[Guest]

 

My opinion. Beane is already being ruled out

 

He is?

 

 

 

He's probably basing that on this..

 

The field of potential star candidates already had narrowed by then, with Oakland GM Billy Beane long out of the Cubs’ picture — something Beane confirmed Thursday when he responded to the Cubs’ speculation by saying he will remain in Oakland next year.

 

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/sports/7945032-419/cubs-will-make-run-at-bostons-epstein-for-gm-job.html

 

 

Granted, the quote being referenced doesn't sound nearly as solid as he makes it out to be.

 

In response to recent reports linking him to the Chicago Cubs’ vacant general manager position, Beane said Thursday he expects to stay with the Athletics.

 

“I’ve got a little trip planned next week, but other than that, yes, I plan on being here,” a smiling Beane said during his year-end media session.

 

That was the meatiest news coming out of a 29-minute state-of-the-team address, though Beane’s declaration does not mean the Cubs — or another team with a G.M. opening — couldn’t blow him away with an offer.

[Illini Iceman]

 

My opinion. Beane is already being ruled out

 

He is?

 

 

 

He's probably basing that on this..

 

The field of potential star candidates already had narrowed by then, with Oakland GM Billy Beane long out of the Cubs’ picture — something Beane confirmed Thursday when he responded to the Cubs’ speculation by saying he will remain in Oakland next year.

 

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/sports/7945032-419/cubs-will-make-run-at-bostons-epstein-for-gm-job.html

 

 

Granted, the quote being referenced doesn't sound nearly as solid as he makes it out to be.

 

In response to recent reports linking him to the Chicago Cubs’ vacant general manager position, Beane said Thursday he expects to stay with the Athletics.

 

“I’ve got a little trip planned next week, but other than that, yes, I plan on being here,” a smiling Beane said during his year-end media session.

 

That was the meatiest news coming out of a 29-minute state-of-the-team address, though Beane’s declaration does not mean the Cubs — or another team with a G.M. opening — couldn’t blow him away with an offer.

 

I don't necessarily believe that Beane or Epstein are taking the Cubs job but anyone that thinks that either one of them is going to say anything other than that they are planning to stay with their current teams until the moment a deal with Cubs is announced is fooling themselves.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://deadspin.com/5849135/whats-the-most-dishonest-sentence-in-the-boston-globes-red-sox-postmortem

 

But the winner, the point at which the Globe simply turned off its brain and let someone dictate an irrational grudge straight onto the page, is this:

 

Other than [Jason] Varitek and [Tim] Wakefield, the only holdovers from Francona's 2004 championship run were David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis.

 

Yes, the Boston Red Sox had lost that gritty spirit that wins a World Series. Except for, you know, the players who were holdovers from Terry Francona's 2007 championship run: Ortiz, Youkilis, Varitek, Wakefield, Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, J.D. Drew, Clay Buchholz, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, and Daisuke Matsuzaka.