Terry Francona was never a polished player, but he was always productive and seemed to know just how to get the job done. As a manager, he brings more of the same. His style is unvarnished. Perhaps even scrappy. As he proved during his tenure at the Boston Red Sox, however, he still knows how to make things happen.
In his first season as manager of the Boston Red Sox, Francona led the team to a 2004 World Series title. It was their first championship since 1918. Three seasons later, he repeated the feat. The now-legendary manager couldn't overcome all of the obstacles in 2011, though, and his team fell apart late in the season. He was replaced before the 2012 season began.
These are the facts everyone knows, and the facts that lay the foundation of Francona's book, Francona: The Red Sox Years. Running a clubhouse wasn't always easy, especially when trying to inspire players to overcome an 86-year drought to become one of the most successful baseball franchises. As documented in the book, Francona also faced struggles in meeting the desires of the Red Sox organization's three owners. This was especially true during the frequent periods when they could not even agree amongst themselves about the best direction for the team.
The book includes many behind-the-scenes stories of well-known players including Pedro Martinez and Manny Ramirez, as well as sneak peeks at the atmosphere in a Major League clubhouse, the relationships built between teammates and the skill it takes to balance the business side of baseball with the emotions of the athletes who are on the field. Francona's language in the book gives the story a locker room feel, and also makes it something you probably won't want to listen to with children in the car.
Today Francona manages the Cleveland Indians club. He began his career in Major League Baseball playing first base in 1981, and played both there and in the outfield for nine seasons. He retired in 1990, and took a job managing at a minor league club. Before accepting the move to Boston, Francona managed the Philadelphia Phillies for four years.
This unabridged audiobook version of Francona: The Red Sox Years includes a bonus interview with Shaughnessy and Francona not available in the print version.
Francona wrote the book with Dan Shaughnessy, a sports writer with a special interest in Boston sports history. In addition to Francona, he has worked on several other books about the Red Sox. These include Reversing the Curse, The Legend of the Curse of the Bambino, At Fenway: Dispatches from Red Sox Nation, One Strike Away: The story of the 1986 Red Sox and Fenway, Expanded and Updated: A Biography in Words and Pictures.
"Yes, the initial concept of Tito & Dan collaborating was baffling to say the least, but the end result is an informative, highly enjoyable read. As a lifelong Sox fan, Tito had already garnered my eternal affection & respect for his years in Boston, especially '04 & '07. But after finishing the book, I'm an even bigger fan - not enough that I'll be rooting for the Indians, but I hope when he's done in the dugout, he'll go back to the broadcast booth."
—
Anika (4 out of 5 stars)