Red Sox Legend Explains Why Managing In Boston Is Unique Challenge originally appeared on NESN.
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Terry Francona has spent his whole life in Major League Baseball. His dad played, he played and now he manages.
Francona, who recently celebrated his 67th birthday, is in his 25th season as an MLB manager. He’s on his fourth team — the Cincinnati Reds — but has managed in stressful environments in Philadelphia and Boston.
He spent eight seasons managing the Boston Red Sox from 2004 to 2011, winning two World Series there and leading them at the height of their 21st-century dynasty.
During a recent interview with Jon Heyman, Francona explained why managing in Boston is unlike managing anywhere else, even New York.
Terry Francona, who won two WS championships and never won fewer than 86 games in Boston but still was dismissed, knows Boston is different. Here’s what he says about that.
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“A lot of people compare it to New York, but it’s not,” Francona said. “New York’s so big. Boston’s more like a town, and everybody knows everything… They’re dying to love their team, but you’d better produce. There’s just so much passion, so much interest. There are some nights the manager goes home with a headache. That’s just the way it is.”
To Francona’s point, Red Sox fans are rabid and live and die with the team. They have high expectations and love the team unconditionally, but they can also be hostile and critical when the team isn’t playing well.
It’s an intense environment, and it’s not for everybody. Fortunately, Francona was able to handle it exceptionally well.
“It’s a great place to be a part of baseball, but it’s not the easiest place to be a part of baseball,” Cora concluded.
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