Terry Francona, who led the Cleveland Guardians to a 92-win season and an AL Central title, has won the American League Manager of the Year Award.
It’s his third time earning Manager of the Year honors.
The two-time World Series champion won the award in 2013 in his first year at the helm of the Guardians and again in 2016 after taking the team to the World Series for the first time since 1997.
After receiving the award, Francona was interviewed by MLB Network.
During his interview, Francona made sure to take the attention off of himself and praise his players.
“It allows me to brag about our organization,” said Francona.
“That part makes me really happy, whether it’s the players, the coaches, all the way to the clubbies, the trainers, the medical people, that’s the part that’s fun because we get to live it out every day.”
Tito Praises Guardians
Francona has always been known as a player’s manager.
After winning two World Series title with the Boston Red Sox, Francona was hired by the Guardians, where he has now earned Manager of the Year honors three times.
Expectations for the Guardians were not high entering the 2022 season after a quiet offseason.
But Francona led the Guardians on yet another improbable journey.
Cleveland won their first AL Central title since 2018, eliminated the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card Series.
In the ALDS, the Guardians fell short against the New York Yankees, but took the Bronx Bombers the full five games.
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