If Terry Francona wants to manage the Cleveland Indians, it sounds like the Tribe would be more than willing to give him their vacant job.
The Indians have confirmed that Francona — as well as interim manager Sandy Alomar Jr. — would be considered for the opening, which was vacated when the Indians fired Manny Acta last week.
According to Jim Duquette, who contributes for both MLB Network Radio and MLB.com, Francona will indeed interview for the job on Friday.
It also sounds like Francona is the front-runner.
#Indians fans, In case you missed it yesterday, Francona's interview is Friday in Cleveland.Its his job to lose.
— Jim Duquette (@Jim_Duquette) October 2, 2012
Duquette seems to think that Francona may take the job, too. After a follower asked Duquette if he meant it was Francona's job to turn down, Duquette responded with this.
@hourigan07 – actually, you're right. His to turn down. And he won't.
— Jim Duquette (@Jim_Duquette) October 2, 2012
The former Red Sox manager has plenty of experience with the Cleveland organization. He spent some of his youth around the organization when his father played for the Indians. He worked in the Cleveland front office in 2001, and it's also well-known that Francona is close with Indians general manager Chris Antonetti and team president Mark Shapiro.
Some believe that Francona, who won World Series titles with Boston in 2004 and 2007, wouldn't be interested in a job with a team like the Indians, who are not ready to win at the moment.
That might not be the case, though.
"People don't know me very well if they don't know I like a challenge," Francona told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. I'm excited by a challenge and I'm not afraid of a challenge. Especially, when I can do it with people I respect and care about."
Francona also told the paper that he wouldn't be interviewing for the job unless he was "extremely excited."
