Fair Or Not, Terry Francona’s Departure Is Imminent And Necessary

According to published reports, the Red Sox and manager Terry Francona will agree to part company this morning after an eight-year marriage that brought the franchise a pair of World Series championships – its first titles since 1918. Tito won’t be fired… his contract expired on Wednesday night and it has been agreed by both parties that the ballclub will not exercise either of the club options it has (for 2012 or 2013) for his services. Divorce, baseball style. Unlike the situation on the south side of Chicago, where the White Sox recently released embattled and controversial manager Ozzie Guillen, the parting here in Boston will be amicable. The ballclub and the manager have enjoyed shared success, and all parties have respect for one another. (Ironically, rampant speculation has Francona landing with the White Sox, where he managed in the minor leagues, once it is official that he won’t return to the Red Sox… so the situation with the Pale Hose will ...