Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona has officially announced that he is stepping down as manager, after weeks of speculation.

Francona spoke to reporters on Tuesday, saying that he’s stepping down and doesn’t see himself managing again, but he didn’t use the word “retire” as part of his statement. Guardians president Chris Antonetti said the 64-year-old Francona would have a role with the team moving forward but did not specify what that role would entail. In his remarks, Francona said: “I need to go home and get healthy and see what I miss about the game .. I don’t foresee managing again … I came here for the right reasons. I’m leaving for the right reasons and what was in between was really good.” Francona said he intends to spend more time playing with his grandkids, getting healthy, and enjoying an extended offseason. He missed a majority of the 2020 and 2022 seasons due to a number of surgeries and other issues. His latest scare came earlier this season in Kansas City which caused him to miss three games in the hospital. He will undergo shoulder replacement surgery and two hernia operations beginning next week.

Francona’s 23-year managerial career began in Philadelphia (1997-2000), winning two World Series titles in Boston and then going on to 11 years in Cleveland. Cleveland made the playoffs six times and won the AL Central four times in 11 years with Francona at the helm. He was named AL Manager of the Year in 2013, 2016 and 2022, making him only one of four managers in MLB history to win the AL or NL award at least three times in the same league (the others being Tony La Russa, Dusty Baker and Bobby Cox). He is also the winningest (921 victories) and longest-tenured manager in Cleveland’s 123-year history.

Editorial credit: Brandon Vincent / Shutterstock.com