Term extended for Terry Francona

• February
• 25

1:02 pm RedSox

Terry Francona was awarded a three-year extension by Red Sox. The term ends on 2011. The yearly average value of the contract is $4 million. It has been estimated that his annual salary would be $3.5 million at the beginning and it would reach $4 million towards the end of the final year. Francona had joined the team on Dec.2003 when his predecessor Grady Little was fired. Initially he was on a three year contract which was later extended by two years till 2008.

The 48 year old is entering his fifth term as a manager. After his three year extension, he would have completed eight seasons in the job. He would be behind Joe Cronin who was the longest serving manager from 1935-47. Francona guided the team to the World Series sweeps in 2004. It was the first title of the team in 86 years. He also guided the team to the Colorado Rockies in 2007. Francona is a favorite among the players. He is adept at handling the pressure of the fans. He has a good comfort level with the players as well. He is known to stand beside his team members. As long as he leads the team to victory and shares a good equation with the players and as long as he is passionate about Red Sox he would be the manager of the team, remarked Epstein, one of the owners of the team.