Cleveland Sports Forum

One man, one vote!

I call BS. This appears to be the old look good managerial search before you settle for the in house cheapie:


Terry Francona says he's excited about the challenge of possibly managing the Cleveland Indians
Published: Saturday, September 29, 2012, 6:34 PM Updated: Saturday, September 29, 2012, 6:41 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
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Michael Dwyer, Associated Press
Terry Francona is expected to interview for the Indians manager's job late next week.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Terry Francona says he's been getting a lot of texts and calls from friends since it became official that he's a candidate to manage the Indians. The gist of the messages go something like this "what are you doing?"
"People don't know me very well if they don't know I like a challenge," said Francona from his home in Tucson, Ariz. "I'm excited by a challenge and I'm not afraid of a challenge. Especially, when I can do it with people I respect and care about."
Managing the Indians will be a challenge and then some. After spending 40 days in first place in the AL Central, the Tribe slumped dramatically after the All-Star break. Manager Manny Acta was fired on Thursday and the Tribe, under acting manager Sandy Alomar, went into Saturday night's game tied for last place with Kansas City in the AL Central.
Francona said he will interview with the Indians in Cleveland toward the end of the upcoming week. The season ends Wednesday and it's believed Alomar will get the first interview.
After Francona was fired as the Phillies manager in 2000, Indians President Mark Shapiro hired him as a special assistant. Shapiro was just about to become general manager at that time.
"We'd met a couple of years before at the winter meetings," said Francona. "We were both running on treadmills working out. Through Mark I met Chris Antonetti and over the years we've become good friends."
Francona, currently working for ESPN, managed Boston from 2004 through 2011. He led the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007. After a historic September collapse in September of 2011, in which the Red Sox fell out of playoff contention, the team did not pick up Francona's option.
"Stepping back and getting away for a year really helped me," said Francona, who has managed 12 years in the big leagues and owns a 1029-915 record. "I wouldn't be interviewing unless I was extremely excited."
Asked how much he knew about the Indians, Francona said, "Well, I know a lot more about them that I did yesterday. . .But I don't need to come in there and tell them about their team."
Francona played winter ball with Alomar in Puerto Rico.
"I think it was in 1998," said Francona. "Sandy was catching, Sandy's dad was managing and Sandy's brother was playing second base. I was a first baseman/left-handed relief pitcher. We were playing for the Ponce Leones."
As excited as Francona is about his upcoming interview, there was someone else more excited.
"When I told my dad I was interviewing with the Cleveland Indians, he was probably the happiest man in the world," said Francona.
Tito Francona, 78, played for the Indians from 1959 through 1964. He hit .366 (143-for-399) and finished fifth in AL MVP voting in 1959.
Tonight's lineups:
Royals (70-87): CF David Lough (L), SS Irvin Falu (S), LF Alex Gordon (L), 1B Billy Butler (R), C Salvador Perez (R), 3B Mike Moustakas (L), RF Jeff Francoeur (R), DH Brayan Pena (S), 2B Tony Abreu (S) and RHP Jake Odorizzi (0-1, 5.06).
Indians (66-91): RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), 2B Jason Kipnis (L), C Carlos Santana (S), 1B Russ Canzler (R), Travis Hafner (L), SS Brent Lillibridge (R), LF Thomas Neal (R), CF Ezequiel Carrera (L) and RHP Jeanmar Gomez (5-8, 5.4).
Umpires: H Tony Basner, 1B John Tumpane, 2B Tim McClelland, 3B Marvin Hudson.

Who the hell cares how this forum feels ?

This forum felt that Acta should still be the manager after 2 historic 2nd half nose dives.

Rusty likes Dolan. Rusty likes Dolan. Don't you have something better to post about then what you think I like or not. Does it really matter ?

Then you have someone like Ken M say that he gave up on the season after game one. Who cares smart guy ? If you are so smart, shut the hell up about this team and move on. But no you will stick around to enlighten us with your whining wisdom.

I must admit I probably care less about this team and organization then anyone here. I bet I have not seen 9 innings of Indians baseball total or probably 18 innings of MLB total all season. That includes highlights.

I have as much interest in the Indians as most of you do in Joe Z's winter league folder.

That's right. As you all know that is very little.

rusty2 wrote:
This forum felt that Acta should still be the manager after 2 historic 2nd half nose dives.

Hee hee.

It seems Rusty might read some of my posts that do not involve drinking.

I turned words awhile back noting Acta had two second half collapses, "the second one historic" as I chimed in to agree with CharlieT that the dismissal of Acta would be understandable.

Even though Acta seems like a good guy, with maybe a chance to show if he has talent to win elsewhere someday, under different circumstances.

Reflecting, Manny Acta is likely supporting a new possible US President as he has lost two jobs and about 60% of his games during the administration of President Obama.....

rusty no one with any sense felt Acta should be retained. And why anyone ever worries about what ken says is beyond me.

I just wish I had some confidence in Anoinetti.....

How many of us predicted wins of 60-70 this year. Really didn't think this team was ready for anything.Too many holes in the everyday lineup & the starting pitching was a wing & prayer. Seriously can the Indians be reasonably expected to have a winning record next year regardless of who the manager might be.

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 12:11 am
Last year I predicted 72, a modest improvment over the 69 wins two year ago. I was wrong. The 30-15 start didn't last but they still won 80 last year with ACab having a career year and a bullpen that was very good late in games.

I think this year the wheels come off early and the Tribe rides on the rims the whole season.

68 wins.

The only thing I got wrong this year was the wheels came off a little later than I expected.

I was greatly overoptimistic, predicted 70. And complained about the all lefty lineup and all right rotation and what appeared to be a lack of serious preparation for the season by the GM,.

Well at least this year I didn't predict Hafner as the AL batting champ.

Terry Francona says he's excited about the challenge of possibly managing the Cleveland Indians

Published: Saturday, September 29, 2012, 6:34 PM Updated: Saturday, September 29, 2012, 6:41 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer


Terry Francona is expected to interview for the Indians manager's job late next week.


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Terry Francona says he's been getting a lot of texts and calls from friends since it became official that he's a candidate to manage the Indians. The gist of the messages go something like this "what are you doing?"

"People don't know me very well if they don't know I like a challenge," said Francona from his home in Tucson, Ariz. "I'm excited by a challenge and I'm not afraid of a challenge. Especially, when I can do it with people I respect and care about."

Managing the Indians will be a challenge and then some. After spending 40 days in first place in the AL Central, the Tribe slumped dramatically after the All-Star break. Manager Manny Acta was fired on Thursday and the Tribe, under acting manager Sandy Alomar, went into Saturday night's game tied for last place with Kansas City in the AL Central.
Francona said he will interview with the Indians in Cleveland toward the end of the upcoming week. The season ends Wednesday and it's believed Alomar will get the first interview.

After Francona was fired as the Phillies manager in 2000, Indians President Mark Shapiro hired him as a special assistant. Shapiro was just about to become general manager at that time.
"We'd met a couple of years before at the winter meetings," said Francona. "We were both running on treadmills working out. Through Mark I met Chris Antonetti and over the years we've become good friends."

Francona, currently working for ESPN, managed Boston from 2004 through 2011. He led the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007. After a historic September collapse in September of 2011, in which the Red Sox fell out of playoff contention, the team did not pick up Francona's option.
"Stepping back and getting away for a year really helped me," said Francona, who has managed 12 years in the big leagues and owns a 1029-915 record. "I wouldn't be interviewing unless I was extremely excited."

Asked how much he knew about the Indians, Francona said, "Well, I know a lot more about them that I did yesterday. . .But I don't need to come in there and tell them about their team."
Francona played winter ball with Alomar in Puerto Rico.
"I think it was in 1998," said Francona. "Sandy was catching, Sandy's dad was managing and Sandy's brother was playing second base. I was a first baseman/left-handed relief pitcher. We were playing for the Ponce Leones."

As excited as Francona is about his upcoming interview, there was someone else more excited.
"When I told my dad I was interviewing with the Cleveland Indians, he was probably the happiest man in the world," said Francona.
Tito Francona, 78, played for the Indians from 1959 through 1964. He hit .366 (143-for-399) and finished fifth in AL MVP voting in 1959.

Just yesterday (Feb 23,2011), a report surfaced that Francona's contract will be extended for two years following the end of the 2011 season. Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman, in a Twitter report, wrote that the Sox intended to pay Francona an annual salary of $4.5 million for 2012 and 2013.

Anyone thinking that Francona will be accepting a 1 million dollar a year deal ?? I wonder if anyone's told Francona that he'll be operating on a frugal budget!?!?! I wonder if anyone's told Francona that this is not Boston. We don't have deep pockets here. Anyone thinking that Francona will be happy to accept a re-building year and one every 2-3 years thereafter?

An inquiring mind would like to know.

re Francona I call BS. Anyway here is my candidate:
One more candidate: Former Tribe slugger Albert Belle said he threw his hat into the ring with an email to President Mark Shapiro asking for an managerial interview.
"I'm just like Robin Ventura and Mike Matheny were last year," said Belle with a laugh, referring to the White Sox and Cardinals bosses. "I'm sitting on my couch waiting for my phone to ring."
Belle is currently rehabbing his left hip after having "resurfacing" surgery on it about 10 weeks ago.

Not sure he would make a good manager but Belle would certainly argue for his players......

and with his players.....

might even literally throw umps out of the game.

No, on Albert Belle.

Jim Duquette ‏@Jim_Duquette


#Indians fans, In case you missed it yesterday, Francona's interview is Friday in Cleveland. Its his job to lose.