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November 12, 2013It was a good first year for Terry Francona in Cleveland. Francona guided the Tribe to the playoffs and now he’s been recognized for his success. Francona was named American League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
CLEVELAND, OH – The Baseball Writers Association of America today announced Cleveland Indians Manager TERRY FRANCONA has been selected the American League Manager of the Year, beating out Boston’s John Farrell and Oakland’s Bob Melvin.
In his first season managing Cleveland, Francona led the Indians to a 92-70 (.568) record and a berth in the American League Wild Card game as the Indians became the first Major League team since 1971 to end the season with a 10-game winning streak. The 24-win improvement over 2012 (68-94) matched the largest year-to-year win improvement in the history of the franchise, joining the 1986 Indians. 2013 marked the sixth time Francona has led a club to the postseason and the ninth straight season in which a Francona-managed team has won at least 86 games, the sixth-longest such streak in MLB history.
Today’s award is the first earned by Francona over his 13-year Major League Managerial career and marks just the second time an Indians Manager has been selected, joining ERIC WEDGE in 2007. The BBWAA began voting on the Manager of the Year Award in 1983.
I always wondered if Eric Wedge’s award was more of a snake bite for the team that wouldn’t be able to fire the Mustachioed grinder. I have no such reservations with Terry Francona. This is a great way to cap off the season and kick off the hot stove period. It can’t hurt the Tribe’s chances at following up their breakout first season with Terry Francona at the helm.
[Related: MLB News: Jimenez rejects offer, Indians likely to receive compensatory pick]
4 Comments
well deserved
I’m so proud of Tito…it feels like a member of my family won this award. He completely deserves it as well…that man has an unbelievable work ethic. He comes to the ballpark every day at 10 AM, even though most games are in the evening. He’s instrumental in bringing guys to Cleveland, and actively recruits during the off-season. He’s constantly working and thinking of ways to improve the team. The team takes on his personality, and they end up winning a lot of games.
Tito, urban, mike brown, chud, Thad matta… It all starts at the top
Congrats to Tito. There’s definitely a case for him, but…. Well, I guess I just don’t get this award.