Team president Nick Krall, who barely knew Francona, called the two-time World Series champion from Chicago during the Reds’ off day before their final weekend series of the season.

In a surprise development, the Cincinnati Reds have hired Terry Francona as their new manager, giving him a three-year deal with a club option for a fourth. Francona, a two-time World Series champion,

If that wasn’t evident in the hiring of Francona, 65, a year after his so-called retirement from the Guardians – echoing the Texas Rangers’ hiring of Bruce Bochy ahead of their 2023 World Series title – it certainly was evident in how quickly the Reds moved to close a deal once Francona expressed a willingness to manage again.