Terry Francona opts for taking a ‘step back’ in 2012 – MLB News
After the meetings that he recently had, the former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona said on Wednesday that he would take a step back for a season. Francona, in the interview, stated he was not expecting to fill out any line-up in 2012.
His assertion might come as a surprise to many, especially the Chicago Cubs’ which had recently held a meeting with him over the future course. The Cubs are looking for a manger after the dismissal of Mike Quade.
Francona was one of the strong candidates reported to be all ready to join the club. Nonetheless, his Wednesday’s interview might take away any possibility of his being the Cubs’ manager in the coming year.
"I'm not going to try to manage next year," Francona told CSNNE.com's Sean McAdam, "for my benefit. I've talked to Theo numerous times. We both know each other well enough where we can be honest with each other. I don't think it's the right opportunity."
The fact that he had been called for an interview by the St. Louis Cardinals intensified the buzz that he might join the Cardinals. Nonetheless, the Cardinals chose Mike Matheny as their manager following the retirement of Tony La Russa.
While the Cubs might have made an exciting offer given the fact that Theo Epstein (both Francona and Epstein were together in the Boston Red Sox) was part of it, the offer by the Cardinals was more appealing.
Now that St. Louis Cardinals have chosen Matheny, Francona wants to take a step back as he put it in the interview.
"I need to take a step back and re-energize," Francona said. "That's probably in my best interest right now. In fairness to myself, it's the best thing to do.
With his expressed desire to go for broadcasting, there are offers from MLB Network, ESPN and FOX that indeed are attractive enough. Although his former team, the Boston Red Sox, could not qualify for the post-season, Francona is expected to show his brilliance
in broadcasting in 2012 once the season kicks off.
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