CINCINNATI -- Not only has Terry Francona amassed the feat of 2,000 wins as a manager, he's won two World Series and built a Hall of Fame-worthy resume full of memorable games, unforgettable moments and even a few slices of comedy over his 24 seasons.
To mark the occasion of Francona's milestone, let's take a look at some of the best moments of his great career in the dugout.
Win No. 1
After transitioning from player to managing in the Dominican Republic and Minor Leagues, Francona was hired for his first big league job by the Phillies. On Opening Day at Dodger Stadium, on April 1, 1997, Philadelphia claimed a 3-0 victory over Los Angeles. A pitcher who would factor in his Boston years, Curt Schilling, allowed two hits over eight innings. Overall though, Francona's time in Philadelphia was unsuccessful. He was fired after four losing seasons in 2000. Much better moments were to come, however.
The 2004 ALCS, Games 4-7
The Curse of the Bambino appeared fully functioning when the Yankees took a 3-0 lead over the Red Sox in the American League Championship Series. In Game 4 at Fenway Park, pinch-runner Dave Roberts stole second base in the ninth inning and scored on Bill Mueller's game-tying RBI single. In the 12th, David Ortiz slugged the game-winning homer for the 6-4 win that staved off elimination before Francona did the unprecedented by guiding Boston back from the brink.
The Red Sox also won the next two games by two runs or less before taking a 10-3 win in Game 7 to slay the Yankees and advance to the World Series. No team had ever won after being down, 3-0. Francona handled his bullpen masterfully and stuck with struggling second baseman Mark Bellhorn despite calls to bench him in favor of Pokey Reese. Bellhorn homered in Games 6 and 7 at Yankee Stadium.
2004 World Series: Goodbye Curse
On Oct. 27, 2004, the Red Sox completed a four-game sweep of the Cardinals to claim their first World Series championship in 86 years. Francona was a local hero already in his first season as Boston's manager for breaking the Curse of the Bambino.
Another ALCS comeback
In 2007, the Red Sox were again facing elimination in the ALCS -- this time vs. Cleveland -- after going down 3-1. After calls to use him in Game 4, when they were down 2-1, Francona instead went with Josh Beckett in Game 5 on full rest.
“We have to win three games anyway, might as well have him at full strength," Francona said.
Beckett allowed one run with 11 strikeouts over eight innings for a 7-1 win. The Red Sox blew out Cleveland in the remaining two games to advance to another World Series.
2007 World Series
The Red Sox swept the Rockies, 4-0, for their second World Series championship of the decade. Francona became the first manager to ever go 8-0 in his first eight World Series games. He also became the first manager to win his first six potential postseason series clinching games.
Back in the postseason with Cleveland
Francona and the Red Sox parted ways after the 2011 season and he spent 2012 working in television. In 2013, he took over as manager of the Indians, a team that won 68 games the previous year, and led them to 92 victories. Cleveland won the final 10 games of the regular season as it reached the postseason. On Sept. 24, the streak was highlighted by a thrilling walk-off homer by Jason Giambi, who celebrated by lifting up Francona and giving him a bear hug.
2016: Returning to the World Series
Francona led Cleveland to 94 wins and the AL Central title in 2016 before it posted a 7-1 record in the postseason to advance past the Red Sox and Blue Jays to get its first World Series since 1997.
In Game 3, with no DH at Wrigley Field, Francona started Carlos Santana in left field and again performed a master class of pitching management for a 1-0 win. Josh Tomlin, Andrew Miller, Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen combined for the shutout. Cleveland would take a 3-1 lead in the Series, but ultimately lost Game 7 to the Cubs in 10 innings.
2017: A 22-game winning streak
Cleveland won 102 games in 2017, including an AL record 22-game win streak that spanned parts of August and September. It broke the Moneyball A's 2002 record and was second all time in MLB history. During the streak, the pitching staff posted a 1.58 ERA while the offense had a .937 OPS. Cleveland had a plus-105 run differential in that span.
2023: Goodbye (for now)
Beset by numerous health issues and feeling he could no longer give it his all, Francona decided he would step down as the now Cleveland Guardians manager after the 2023 season. He got an incredible send off, ironically against the Reds, with a 4-3 victory on Sept. 27 in Cleveland's home finale. Fans wore "Thank you Tito" shirts and showered the manager with love despite him not wanting a lot of attention to cap his 11-season tenure.
2025: Win No. 2,000
Francona was lured out of retirement after one year off when the Reds called shortly after dismissing David Bell near the end of a disappointing 2024 season. On Oct. 4, 2024, he was introduced to Cincinnati with a three-year contract. On July 13, 2025, a 4-2 Reds victory over the Rockies gave Francona his milestone win No. 2,000 to join Bruce Bochy as the only active skippers to reach the plateau. Dusty Baker and Sparky Anderson are the only other 2,000-win skippers to manage the Reds.
Bonus fun moments
• Unable to sleep ahead of trying to clinch the 2016 World Series, Francona ordered $44 worth of ice cream.
• Francona's scooter was lost, then it was found.
• A 2022 celebratory headbutt with Josh Naylor went awry with broken glasses