Reds’ new manager Terry Francona visited the Dominican Republic to catch up with Elly De La Cruz, Jeimer Candelario, and Noelvi Marte.
Francona was hired by the Reds on October 7. He has a .538 winning percentage over 23 seasons and over 3,600 games.
The two-time World Series Champion is hoping to get the most out of the young trio, including 22-year-old star De La Cruz. Check out the photo below:
When manager Terry Francona retired from the Cleveland Guardians after the 2023 season, many figured that the masterful manager was stepping away from the game for good.
However, Francona has agreed to take on one more challenge. The two-time World Series champion agreed to become the Cincinnati Reds’ next manager on Oct. 4, and on Tuesday he shared a lofty goal for one of the Reds’ stars—shortstop Elly De La Cruz.
“My goal for him is not just to be an exciting, good player,” Francona said. “It’s to be one of the best players in baseball on one of the best teams in baseball.”
De La Cruz was dynamite in 2024, slashing .259/.339/.471 with 25 home runs, 76 RBIs and a major-league high 67 stolen bases—though he did strike out 218 times to lead both leagues.
Cincinnati, however, struggled to a 77-85 finish—a five-game regression from 2023, when the team went 82-80 in De La Cruz’s electrifying rookie season.
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