SI

Reds Manager Terry Francona Shared the Huge Goal He Has for Star Elly De La Cruz

The Cincinnati manager is bullish on his young shortstop.

Patrick Andres

Terry Francona is introduced as the Reds' manager.
Terry Francona is introduced as the Reds' manager. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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When manager Terry Francona retired from the Cleveland Guardians after the 2023 season, many figured that the masterful manager was stepping away from the game for good.

However, Francona has agreed to take on one more challenge. The two-time World Series champion agreed to become the Cincinnati Reds' next manager on Oct. 4, and on Tuesday he shared a lofty goal for one of the Reds' stars—shortstop Elly De La Cruz.

"My goal for him is not just to be an exciting, good player," Francona said. "It's to be one of the best players in baseball on one of the best teams in baseball."

De La Cruz was dynamite in 2024, slashing .259/.339/.471 with 25 home runs, 76 RBIs and a major-league high 67 stolen bases—though he did strike out 218 times to lead both leagues.

Cincinnati, however, struggled to a 77-85 finish—a five-game regression from 2023, when the team went 82-80 in De La Cruz's electrifying rookie season.

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Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .

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