The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Francona steps away; Cavs pick USC’s Mobley
Tribe manager cites health problems, won't commit to returning in 2022
Terry Francona is stepping away as Indians manager for the rest of the season because of health issues. He will not commit to returning next season.
Team president Chris Antonetti made the announcement at 7:10 p.m. July 29. Francona, 61, has worn a walking boot on his right foot since spring training because of an issue with his toe. He recently has been battling a head cold and did not manage the past four games.
Francona managed only 15 of the 60 games the Indians played last season because of medical issues that included time spent in the intensive care unit at Cleveland Clinic because of blood clotting. He is scheduled for a hip replacement Aug. 1 at Cleveland Clinic, and six weeks later, he will have a permanent rod inserted in his injured foot.
“It’s amazed me Tito has been able to make it this far despite all the things he’s been battling,” Antonetti said on Zoom. “It’s a testament to how much he cares about the team and how much he cares about the organization.
“He’s persevered and battled through significant pain in a number of different areas. I am incredibly grateful he’s made it this far. But at the same time, as I told Tito multiple times, our foremost concern needs to be his health and well-being. We want to make sure we get him on a path to a full recovery.”
“I have a decent amount of work ahead of me, but it got to the point where I didn’t feel like I was doing my job appropriately.” — Terry Francona
DeMarlo Hale, currently the bench coach, will finish the season as interim manager. Mike Sarbaugh will move from third base coach to bench coach. Kyle Hudson will move from coaching assistant to third base.
“The last road trip (to Oakland and Houston) was really tough for me,” Francona said. “I was overdone and got sick. I’ve been in the boot. Last year I was contemplating getting my hip done, but couldn’t because of all the other things going on.
“I have a decent amount
of work ahead of me, but it got to the point where I didn’t feel like I was doing my job appropriately. I didn’t feel like I was being fair to the organization. But at the same time I almost didn’t feel like I was being fair to myself, either. I was having an internal struggle on what to do.”
Antonetti said he and Francona arrived at the decision together.
“That’s probably what kind of saved me — his friendship,” Francona said. “Cherny (general manager Mike Chernoff) also came down. That really helped a ton. I needed it and they were there for me.”
Francona’s 723 victories as Indians manager are second-most
in franchise history. Lou Boudreau holds the record with 728. Any victories recorded with Hale as interim manager will be credited to Francona, just as those with Sandy Alomar as manager were last season when Francona was ailing.
Personal records, though, are unimportant to Francona, as he mentioned during spring training when asked about breaking Boudreau’s record at some time this season. They certainly are not important to him now.
“I want to love my job,” Francona said when asked if he will manage next season. “I’m not talking about a loss or win. I’m talking about the challenges that
come with the job.
“I’m just not able right now to do physically what I think needs to be done appropriately,” Francona said. “I haven’t lost the love for the game or our baseball team or the people in it. If anything, I care more today than I ever did. But I’ve got to get healthy, or I can’t do this job.” Francona has managed the Indians since 2013. The Indians finished over .500 each year from 2013-2020 and made the playoffs five times in his first eight seasons.
The 2021 Indians take a 50-49 record into the start of a three-game series with the White Sox in Chicago starting July 30.