*Thanks to Kelly for the picture*I really have no clue what Tito is doing to Pedroia in this picture: he's either giving him a neck rub, a noogie, or is measuring him to see if he's grown any taller. Whatever it is, it's a perfect picture of what kind of manager Terry Francona is: a players manager.
Oh yeah, he's also a winning manager: After an 86 year drought in Boston, all this guy has done in 4 years is win TWO World Series, and yet he remains one of the most underpaid skippers in the game.
He may not be the best when it comes to in-game strategy (though I challenge you to find one major mistake he made in the World Series and you can count on one hand the ones he made in the playoffs combined), he is more often than not loyal to a fault, and his arguments with the Umpires are some of the worse you'll see.
If you ask any player on this team what they think about Francona, however, I'd almost bet the farm you'd get a positive response. Well, Julian may still be a little miffed he was left off the post season roster, but other than him, I really can't think of anyone else.
Epstein has been on record saying that once they got all the on field decisions taken care of that Tito was next on the to-do list. I know there is still the tiny matter of trying to trade for Johan Santana still hanging out there, but I hope the second item on the agenda is inking Francona to a much deserved contract extension.
This guy has endured knee replacement, throwing up blood, trying to quit chewing tobacco, and Manny being Manny on a daily basis since he got here: and all he's done is WIN. Add to all that the fact that after EVERY game he's had to endure Tina Cervasio asking some of the most idiotic questions known to man and he's managed to keep from beating her about the head with the microphone so far, there is no question he deserves to be in the top 5% when it comes to pay scale for MLB managers.
Theo: it's time.
Time to show your manager some love.
After all, he's earned it.
39 comments:
i have wnothing to say. jujst got home. and had to post
Tex:
Is it New Year's in Texas already? ;)
TITO deserves everything!!
I agree little brother; two World Series victories in 4 years is worthy of a VERY nice contract. That, plus managing a team with lots of um.....unique personalities ought to be worth a few extra bucks, too.
Hey Stacy.
"Unique personalities"
Thats one way to phrase it: lunatics, goofballs, and psychopathic is another. ;)
Isn't every manager/coach excepted to win the World series? Why do you think he deserves more for doing his job. Do you think he will leave and take the hapless Cubs or Rays. Don't you think he had a clause, win it all and break the bank.
Just asking questions, Hope this doesn't upset the Manson clan.
Bub, not every manager expects to win the World Series every year. When you manage the Royals, Rays, Reds, etc.. it's just not realistic.
I just googled this:
* Joe Torre, NYY $7.5 million
Lou Piniella, CHC $3.5 million
Bobby Cox, ATL $3 million
Tony La Russa, STL $2.8 million
Mike Scioscia, LAA $2 million
Jim Leyland, DET $2 million
Bruce Bochy, SF $1.75 million
Terry Francona, BOS $1.65 million*
It surprised me he made that much: for some reason I thought he was lower down. But, off that list, only Francona has won two titles in 4 years, both times being on the verge of being elimated and having to win at least 3 straight to move on. You can't do that without a strong manager keeping players together.
I did mention him being underpaid, but I was trying to get across is this coming year is his last year, and for what he's done, he deserves to have an extension in place as soon as possible.
I can't speak for the rest of the clan, but you and Charlie are good. ;)
ARE we really still going after santana? I dont want him.
Happy New Years Ted :)
Johan Santana's 8 year stats:
93W, 44L
1,381 K's
364 BB's
3.22 career ERA
Yeah: he stinks. Why would the Red Sox want HIM?
Happy New Year, Tex. ;)
You are too much.
no I HAD too much last night :)
Well, yeah, that too.
Got a text from JET a little while ago. I figure you got one as well: mine said "Awesome"!
becks texted me alot of stuff then JET sent me a pic of the WS Trophy.
No ted I just dont want him if We have to give up the players they have mentioned so far in the reports I have heard thats all:-)
He is clearly a good player!
All right, I'm bent. You got a PICTURE?
I'm going to give that girl an earful. ;)
Absolutely. Must keep Tito. Every ship needs a captain.
By the way, I am so loving your current icon. ;-)
Hi Dawn!
I hope your Thanksgiving trip to the West Coast went well.
I sort of figured you'd like the Lowell Icon. ;)
My trip was awesome. But it's good to be home too.
Whatever made you think I would be partial to something Lowell...? =P
Glad to hear it.
As far as the Lowell thing goes, I have no idea why I'd think such a thing. ;)
I plead the fifth on what my desktop background looks like. =X
I've got a pretty good idea.
You know, if I were 6 ft 4, athletically talented, and good looking, alot of people say I'd look like Mike Lowell.
Actually, thats not true. The only thing we have in common is we are both prematurely grey.
But we do have THAT in common.
His salt-and-pepper is one of the best things about him. If he ever dyed it, I would be crushed.
Yep, his hair and that slow burn smile. And the way he plays third base. Be still my heart.
You are cracking me up. I don't know a woman, including my wife, you, my sister, Tex, and my Mom who don't think Lowell is a good looking man.
I've got the salt and pepper working: why is Ang the only one who thinks that way about me? ;)
Yes, but how many of them think his baseball skills make him even sexier. =P
And that's because your wife has staked claim on you, silly. The rest of womankind is no longer allowed to take any notice. Lowell's wife lost that privilege by being married to someone famous. ;-)
The baseball skills thing I get.
No one is even allowed to take NOTICE? Do you know how deflating that is to an ego?
Besides, Angie knows how I am by now. I'm lucky she still puts up with me. ;)
Ask anyone in my family: they'll say the same thing.
Hmmm... maybe it's that other women are allowed to NOTICE, but they must keep all commentary to themselves?
Perhaps you are being discussed behind your back! =O
Dawn,
Even though you are being nice, I'll take it. At least it saves my ego from complete destruction.
I'm like a squirrel that way: I'll take any little walnut I find along the way. :0
The ego is a fragile creature. Someone one thought I was my best friend's mother. He is eight moths older than me. =P That one smarted for a while. And then there was the time someone called me "sir"... =P ::sigh::
Hmmm... methinks I need some ice cream. The dilemma: Gingerbread Man or Apple Pie?
Oof. That must have sucked: I'm impressed you didn't punch someone out either time.
Not a desert eater: Rakes would say "Tocolate". Whichever one you mentioned is closest to that.
I mostly just stand there in stunned silence.
Ice cream is not a dessert! It is a food group! And also, I do not drink milk. Must get my calcium somehow. ;-)
Lowell has sexy eyes and smile.
//Ice cream is not a dessert! It is a food group!//
Whatever helps you sleep at night, Dawn. ;)
//Ice cream is not a dessert! It is a food group!//
yah Ted. Its right next to the food group chocolate and beer
Tex: Lowell is a work of art. He's even better in person.
Ted: I don't *dream* about it. I save that for certain third basemen that wear number 25. ;-)
//yah Ted. Its right next to the food group chocolate and beer //
Tex is very wise.
Tex: are you sure beer is a food group? Or chocolate for that matter?
Dawn: I'm just messin' with you. I'm considered the weirdo in my family for a lot of reasons, one of which is the fact sweet stuff makes me sick to my stomach. Can't even eat one cookie.
Now: tell me I can have something fried with Tabasco sauce lathered all over it, and I'm there.
::dreaming of Mike Lowell covered in ice cream::
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