Major League Baseball prefers any off-field news to not conflict with the playoffs. The first playoff game Monday is scheduled for 4:08 p.m. The three-time Manager of the Year, who guided two Boston Red Sox teams to world championships and the 2016 Indians to Game 7 of the World Series,

In a surprise development, the Cincinnati Reds have hired Terry Francona as their new manager, giving him a three-year deal with a club option for a fourth. Francona, a two-time World Series champion,

CINCINNATI, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Terry Francona is set to end his brief retirement from baseball to become the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Sources told ESPN, MLB.com and The Athletic about the hiring Thursday night.