Changes

''Philadelphia Phillies''

''Philadelphia Phillies''

The Phillies fired manager Jim Fregosi after a last place finish in 1996. The team offered Francona the chance to interview for the position. Bell advised him that while he was unlikely to get the job, it would be a good learning experience. He was supported for the job by the recently unretired [[Michael Jordan|Jordan]] and was hired in October 1996.<ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9501E6DB1039F932A05753C1A960958260&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss</ref> Francona's first season was not a good one. Despite solid seasons from [[Curt Schilling]] and rookie [[Scott Rolen]] the team was only able to win 68 games and finish last in the National League East. They seemed to be heading in the right direction, winning 75 and 77 games in 1998 and 1999 respectively. Unfortunately the success wouldn't last and the Phillies win total dropped to 65 in 2000 and Francona was fired.<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2000/10/01/francona001001.html</ref>

The Phillies fired manager Jim Fregosi after a last place finish in 1996. The team offered Francona the chance to interview for the position. Bell advised him that while he was unlikely to get the job, it would be a good learning experience. He was supported for the job by the recently unretired [[Michael Jordan|Jordan]] and was hired in October 1996.<ref>Associated Press. "With Star Support, Francona to Manage Phils"; ''New York Times'', 31 October 1996</ref> Francona's first season was not a good one. Despite solid seasons from [[Curt Schilling]] and rookie [[Scott Rolen]] the team was only able to win 68 games and finish last in the National League East. They seemed to be heading in the right direction, winning 75 and 77 games in 1998 and 1999 respectively. Unfortunately the success wouldn't last and the Phillies win total dropped to 65 in 2000 and Francona was fired.<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2000/10/01/francona001001.html</ref>

''Boston Red Sox''

''Boston Red Sox''

Francona spent the 2001 season as a special assistant in the [[Indians]] front office.<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2000/11/21/francona001121.html</ref> He spent the following two seasons as bench coach with the [[Texas Rangers]] and [[Oakland Athletics|Athletics]] respectively. The [[Boston Red Sox|Red Sox]] were looking for a manager to replace the recently fired [[Grady Little]]. The team's front office liked Francona's ability to manage players as well as his willingness to use statistical information when making decisions.<ref>http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061458545/Red_Sox_Rule/index.aspx</ref> He was named their manager in November 2003,<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2003/12/04/soxfrancona031204.html</ref> beating out [[Los Angeles Angels|Anaheim Angels]] bench coach [[Joe Maddon]] for the job.<ref>http://articles.latimes.com/2003/oct/29/sports/sp-angels29</ref> The team went 98-64 in the first season, taking the wild card over [[Oakland Athletics|Oakland]] by a full seven games. Boston finished the year 42-18 after the July 31 trade of team icon [[Nomar Garciaparra]]. They started the playoffs by sweeping the [[Los Angeles Angels|Angels]] in the Divisional Series. The League Championship Series against the [[New York Yankees]] got off to a bad start. Team New York rushed off to a 3-0 lead with an embarassing 19-8 victory in Game 3. Despite the long odds team Boston managed to become the first baseball team in history to overcome the deficit and win the series. In the [[World Series]] that year they surprisingly were able to sweep a strong [[St. Louis Cardinals]] team to capture their first championship in 86 years. In 2005, Francona guided the team to a 95 win season and another wild card. The team was unable to repeat after being beaten by eventual titlists [[White Sox]]. Following a year out of the playoffs, they were able to win another [[World Series]] title in 2007 by sweeping National League champion [[Colorado Rockies]]. 2008 was another strong year, 95-67 to take the wild card, and taking Team [[Tampa Rays|Tampa]] to seven games before falling in the League Championship Series.

Francona spent the 2001 season as a special assistant in the [[Indians]] front office.<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2000/11/21/francona001121.html</ref> He spent the following two seasons as bench coach with the [[Texas Rangers]] and [[Oakland Athletics|Athletics]] respectively. The [[Boston Red Sox|Red Sox]] were looking for a manager to replace the recently fired [[Grady Little]]. The team's front office liked Francona's ability to manage players as well as his willingness to use statistical information when making decisions.<ref>http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061458545/Red_Sox_Rule/index.aspx</ref> He was named their manager in November 2003,<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2003/12/04/soxfrancona031204.html</ref> beating out [[Los Angeles Angels|Anaheim Angels]] bench coach [[Joe Maddon]] for the job.<ref>Shaikin, Bill. "Maddon Is Interested in Managing Red Sox"; ''Los Angeles Times'', 29 October 2003</ref> The team went 98-64 in the first season, taking the wild card over [[Oakland Athletics|Oakland]] by a full seven games. Boston finished the year 42-18 after the July 31 trade of team icon [[Nomar Garciaparra]]. They started the playoffs by sweeping the [[Los Angeles Angels|Angels]] in the Divisional Series. The League Championship Series against the [[New York Yankees]] got off to a bad start. Team New York rushed off to a 3-0 lead with an embarassing 19-8 victory in Game 3. Despite the long odds team Boston managed to become the first baseball team in history to overcome the deficit and win the series. In the [[World Series]] that year they surprisingly were able to sweep a strong [[St. Louis Cardinals]] team to capture their first championship in 86 years. In 2005, Francona guided the team to a 95 win season and another wild card. The team was unable to repeat after being beaten by eventual titlists [[White Sox]]. Following a year out of the playoffs, they were able to win another [[World Series]] title in 2007 by sweeping National League champion [[Colorado Rockies]]. 2008 was another strong year, 95-67 to take the wild card, and taking Team [[Tampa Rays|Tampa]] to seven games before falling in the League Championship Series.

==Health==

==Health==

Francona had to leave a 2005 game against team New York due to chest pains.<ref>http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/2005/04/07/2005-04-07_hearts_are_with_francona__he.html</ref> He takes blood thinners to improve circulation after a previous knee surgery went awry.<ref>http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2004/10/07/under_constant_glare_francona_cool_on_hot_seat/</ref>

Francona had to leave a 2005 game against team New York due to chest pains.<ref>Madden, Bill. "Hearts are with Francona. Health Tempers Sox Celebration"; ''New York Daily News'', 7 April 2005</ref> He takes blood thinners to improve circulation after a previous knee surgery went awry.<ref>MacMullan, Jackie. "Under constant glare, Francona cool on hot seat"; ''Boston Globe'', 7 October 2004</ref>

==Record==

==Record==