Terry Francona might have made Chicago White Sox general manger Kenny Williams' search for a new manager a little more complicated. Francona parted ways with the Boston Red Sox this morning—apparently in amicable fashion—and now is wide open to entertain an offer from Williams to manage the White Sox.
Williams had Francona on his short list to replace Ozzie Guillen as White Sox manager, along with Dave Martinez and Sandy Alomar Jr.
Early indicators are that the White Sox will be led by either Martinez or Alomar, according to Sports Illustrated.
Steve Stone predicted that Williams would tab Alomar to lead the White Sox.
However, Williams is one who doesn't like to show his cards. He may very well have shifted his thoughts after Francona left the Red Sox.
Despite the historic collapse the Red Sox suffered in September, Francona is still a great manager.
That could light Williams' eyes while looking at Francona among other candidates for White Sox' manager.
Francona managed two World Series champions with the Red Sox. That includes the 2004 title that lifted the 86-year-old monkey off their backs and ended the Curse of the Bambino.
Being the manager who broke the Curse of the Bambino carries a great deal of weight for Francona in the White Sox' managerial search.
Also, he led the Red Sox in their rally from a three games to none deficit in the 2004 American League Championship Series against the Yankees, the first such rally in MLB playoff history.
That gives Francona even more weight.
Francona had a .574 winning percentage in his eight years as Red Sox manager and had a winning season in each season, something that no manager in White Sox history except Al Lopez has done.
With his track record as a winning manager and championship rings, Francona could put the White Sox back on track.
Francona managed in the White Sox minor league system from 1991 to 1995. While that doesn't mean a great deal, it does imply he has some familiarity with Jerry Reinsdorf and the nature of the White Sox minor league system.
Williams has a very good trio of possibilities in Alomar, Martinez and Francona. Considering that Francona is completely open, Williams might think harder about Francona.
Marcel Goc Jamie Lundmark Nick Spaling Pikka Rinne Mathieu Carle Lars Eller
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