2019 Tito Francona Discussion

[Derek]

I know a lot of Tito's decisions have come under fire the last few years, and I'm often torn on the topic. On one hand, I know the numbers, and Tito often goes against the newer knowledge when it comes to situational baseball, line-up construction, and bullpen usage.

However, it's inarguable that he gets results, and perhaps it's greedy to expect the best player's manager in all of baseball to also be an analytical savant.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

I know a lot of Tito's decisions have come under fire the last few years, and I'm often torn on the topic. On one hand, I know the numbers, and Tito often goes against the newer knowledge when it comes to situational baseball, line-up construction, and bullpen usage.

However, it's inarguable that he gets results, and perhaps it's greedy to expect the best player's manager in all of baseball to also be an analytical savant.

I agree.

I wish there were some perfect world where someone else could make strategy decisions and Tito just manages the players.

That's not a thing.

I'm still gonna curse him when he makes an awful bunt call, but there aren't many managers I'd want instead of him.

 

[Randolphkeys]

There has obviously been a huge shift in baseball where the manager is literally middle management. The analytic department in the front office of many teams want more say in who plays and when they play. The best "old school" managers are retiring or being moved into semi-retirement as a consultant.

One way to look at this is the Indians franchise taking advantage by bucking the trend. The Tribe front office has always been at the forefront of analytics, but they don't have an ego that is too big for a powerful manager.

 

[Marcus]

I don’t always agree with his decisions (the way he tends to overuse the bullpen, the questionable bunt calls) but I can’t think of too many managers I’d rather have. Personally, barring something crazy, I hope he’s here until he retires.

 

[Phil Mixtape]

I don’t always agree with his decisions (the way he tends to overuse the bullpen, the questionable bunt calls) but I can’t think of too many managers I’d rather have. Personally, barring something crazy, I hope he’s here until he retires.

They were talking about this in a broadcast last month, can't remember what game specifically. Pretty sure Tito's on record as saying this is his last stop in the majors.

 

[Steve_424]

Tito won't be fully appreciated until he's gone.

 

[Coyote850]

Tito makes an occasional bad decision, and yes he is set in his ways. That said: If I were the Indians owner he would be my manager until he decides to retire. I never thought I'd have a Indians manager that surpassed Mike Hargrove, Tito did that.

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

Tito won't be fully appreciated until he's gone.

Maybe by some but I fully appreciate Tito and we will be immensely worse off when he retires. Best tribe manager in my lifetime in a landslide

 

[CavsFanJapan]

Tito won't be fully appreciated until he's gone.

On the heals of Manny Acta, Tito is GREATLY APPRECIATED...LOL!!!

 

[Connor]

My cats name is Tito

 

[Coyote850]

Maybe by some but I fully appreciate Tito and we will be immensely worse off when he retires. Best tribe manager in my lifetime in a landslide

I truly hope Sandy has absorbed Titos knowledge as much as is possible. Sandy is extremely intelligent and I hope he follows Titos path.

 

[Connor]

'It's not over': Tito on Tribe's 'transitional' 2019

In a recent sitdown with MLB.com, Cleveland manager Terry Francona answered questions on a wide range of topics from his health to the Indians, who have played their way into postseason contention. Since the sitdown, the Indians lost infielder Jose Ramirez to a fractured wrist, providing...

www.mlb.com

Some quotes in this article from Tito that really stand out to me:

MLB.com: You must be having fun.
Francona: I’m a little tired. As you get older, it’s gets harder, physically..

MLB.com: "..how’s your health?"
Francona: I’ve been through a lot. I’ve had blood clots. I’ve had pulmonary embolism. I’ve had heart issues. My knees are not mine. This hip is not mine. It takes a toll on me..

MLB.com: How much do you have in the tank? I know you are signed through 2022.
Francona: I don’t know. I really don’t know. I’m sure there will be a day where I’m cheating the organization because I can’t do it the right way. I think it takes a lot of energy to do it the right way. Or if I lose the passion, I wouldn’t want to do it. But I’m not there yet..

 

[Stark]

'It's not over': Tito on Tribe's 'transitional' 2019

In a recent sitdown with MLB.com, Cleveland manager Terry Francona answered questions on a wide range of topics from his health to the Indians, who have played their way into postseason contention. Since the sitdown, the Indians lost infielder Jose Ramirez to a fractured wrist, providing...

www.mlb.com

Some quotes in this article from Tito that really stand out to me:

I think Tito is done after 2022 personally. Think he'll ride out his contract with us and retire at around age 63.

He's not the healthiest guy in the world and being an MLB manager is a 24/7/365 job. Hope he can win a title with us before he goes, because he's one of the absolute greats in Indians history.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

I think Tito is done after 2022 personally. Think he'll ride out his contract with us and retire at around age 63.

He's not the healthiest guy in the world and being an MLB manager is a 24/7/365 job. Hope he can win a title with us before he goes, because he's one of the absolute greats in Indians history.

If you've ever seen him walking around Cleveland, he's definitely not in great shape. I won't be shocked at all when he calls it.

 

[Derek]

If you've ever seen him walking around Cleveland, he's definitely not in great shape. I won't be shocked at all when he calls it.

My dad has also had double knee and a hip replacement. I would hope Terry is moving better than him, but I'm sure it can't be by much.