Terry Francona Opens Up On Possibility Of Retirement, Cleveland Guardians News

Terry Francona admits he talked to the Cleveland Guardians front office about his future as their manager.

Terry Francona will undoubtedly be in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown someday. His name is all over the history books as a manager and he continues to be one of the most respected people in baseball.

However, he can't coach the sports he loves forever.

Tito isn't getting any younger and has had a number of health issues over the last few years which has left fans questioning how much longer he has left in the tank.

The topic of retirement naturally arose in Francona's pre-game press conference before Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tito did not shy away from talking about how much longer he plans to manage the Cleveland Guardians:

I've talked to Chris [Antonetti] and [Mike Chernoff] at length about the future and everything because I don't want to put them in any remotely kind of predicament. So, we've had a lot of talks about moving forward.

I mean, I think I felt my whole career like the players always have to come first. I mean, I remember being in Birmingham and South Bend and thinking the players come first and the organization and my situation would always take care of itself. I think to deviate from that now is wrong. So, I think there's a time - and there will be a time to answer any question there might be about what I'm going to do or not do. I don't think that's not because I don't ever want this - it can't be on me. And I just can't let it. The other part is I don't want to lie or I don't want to fib. We've all seen coaches (I'm probably talking about college coaches) but you know they're going somewhere. And somebody asks them a question point blank and they go, 'No, and then an hour later, they've got a six-year deal. I don't want to ever be like that. Just telling you that we're getting there. And there's just a time I think to do it appropriately.

Francona is in a situation like no other manager in baseball. Most coaches have the stress of success on their radar or they'll be on the hot seat and replaced. However, the Cleveland organization has openly said they are happy to have Tito be their manager for as long as he likes.

Based on these comments, it does appear the beloved manager has considered calling it a career forcing the Guardians to find a new skipper. 

Fans may not always love the lineups Tito puts out or would rather see a different pitcher called from the bullpen. But he's one of the game's legends and he'll certainly be missed by the sport when he decides to hang it up. 

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