CLEVELAND -- Terry Francona talked often this past season about how much he has enjoyed managing in Cleveland. On Tuesday, the Indians ensured that Francona will be here for at least the next four seasons.
The club has announced that they have agreed to a two-year extension with Francona that includes a club option for 2019 and '20. Francona, who just finished his second season managing the Tribe, had two years remaining on his original deal.
"I checked with a couple of guys to make sure (the extension was the right move)," said Francona in a video released by the team. "This is about the players but what is most important is them. I wanted them to be comfortable that I was going to be here."
Francona, who will turn 56 on April 22, has led the Indians to consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2000-01 (177-147). The 177 wins and .546 winning pct. rank fourth and fifth-best, respectively, in club history among managers through their first two seasons. He was also named the AL Manager of the Year following the 2013 season.
"I really didn't want to move on from here," Francona added. "Managers say all these things in their first press conference. They're all true and feel them but what's cool for me is two years later I'm getting to live them out and I still feel the same way, maybe stronger, than I did that day I got hired and for that I am grateful.
"We're a pretty tight-knit group. We do things together and have fun doing it. We have our share of challenges and try to tackle them together."
Francona just completed his 14th season as a manager in the majors. His 1,206-1,062 record gives him the fourth-most wins among current managers. Dating back to 2004, teams that Francona has managed have posted winning records 10 consecutive seasons (eight in Boston, two in Cleveland). That is the longest such managerial streak since Joe Torre in 2009. In addition, Francona has led teams to the postseason six times, including 2013 with the Indians, and has a pair of World Series rings.
