New Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona speaks during an event to introduce the new manager of the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

ESPN's Tim Kurkjian Has High Praise for Reds Manager Terry Francona

Originally posted on Cincinnati Reds on SI
By Greg Kuffner | Last updated Jan 19, 2025 4:30 PM ET

ESPN baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian was speaking at the Moeller First Pitch event on Wednesday night and had high praise for Reds manager Terry Francona.

"Terry Francona is a future Hall of Famer, Kurkjian told Joe Dannaeman. "I have never met any manager in 45 years of covering baseball who's better at identifying the best way to get the best out of (his players). He's the best I've ever seen at deflecting attention away from his players to take the pressure off of them and he almost always does it with a laugh and a smile."

Kurkjian also loves Francona's sense of humor.

"I can honestly say he is the funniest person I have ever covered in all my years, but more importantly, he makes his players comfortable and relaxed and allows them to go out there and play there best. That is his greatest strength."

You can watch the full interview below:

"I have never met any manager in 45 years of covering baseball who's better at identifying the best way to get the best out of (his players)."

ESPN's Tim Kurkjian is speaking at the Moeller First Pitch event tonight. Here's his two minute take on new Reds manager Terry Francona. pic.twitter.com/pSeWgPmHki
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) January 16, 2025