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Manager Terry Francona isn’t quite ready to begin a chapter of his life outside of dugouts after he guided the 2022 Cleveland Guardians to the American League Central title.
Per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Francona has agreed to return as Cleveland manager for at least the 2023 MLB season. While he previously suggested he planned to manage for at least one more year, health issues and the fact that he hadn’t yet signed a contract left his future somewhat in doubt.
Back in 2020, Francona dealt with gastrointestinal problems and multiple blood clots. In July 2021, the 63-year-old took a leave of absence for the remainder of that season so he could focus on his health and recovery.
Under his leadership, the youngest team in all of MLB got hot at the right time during the summer months and officially clinched the AL Central crown for the 2022 campaign on Sept. 25. 92-70 Cleveland then swept the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card round of the postseason tournament before the underdog Guardians fell to the New York Yankees in an AL Division Series-deciding fifth game held in the Bronx.
“Physically, it’s getting harder,” the two-time AL Manager of the Year (2013, 2016) admitted about doing the job while speaking with The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal last month. “I want to enjoy what I’m doing. It’s getting harder to do that, just because physically it’s harder. I just want to be careful. And at the same time, I want to be fair to the team.”
Francona is, at worst, a strong candidate to earn Manager of the Year honors for 2022.
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