Taking a Break and Focusing on Health
When Francona walked away from the Guardians after the 2023 season, there seemed no need for new luggage. However, in the 14 months that followed, he took a year off. During this time, he watched a lot of baseball but never thought about managing the games. Instead, he enjoyed the sport like a fan. Francona mentioned that he had a good year during his time off. The only time he even considered managing again was when he was looking after his grandkids while his daughters were in Europe. But in front of the reporters, he was back in his element. His year away from baseball was focused on his health. It has been 11 months since he had a surgery, which he believes might be a record since he tore his knee as a player with the Expos in 1982. His list of ailments and surgeries is quite extensive and rivals his accomplishments in the game.Meeting the Reds' Stars
With his health in check, Francona has already visited the Dominican Republic to meet with the Reds' biggest star, shortstop Elly De La Cruz. He also met with their highest-paid position player, infielder Jeimer Candelario, and a young player, Noelvi Marte, who had a tough year. Francona said, "They remind me a lot of Cleveland a couple years ago, young, athletic, they seem like really good kids. I think they want to get good. You like to think you could make a difference."Building the Coaching Staff
Francona put together a coaching staff that includes eight holdovers from the previous staff and Brad Mills, his college teammate, friend, and former bench coach with both Boston and Cleveland. He and Mills also went to Laredo, Texas, to talk with Freddie Benavides, who was the only other candidate to interview for the job. Benavides, 58, agreed to join the staff along with Mills, sharing the title of bench coach.Preparing for the Upcoming Season
This past week, Francona and his coaching staff met in Cincinnati to start preparing for the upcoming season. Francona said, "I think it reinforced some things. I think our guys want to be coached and maybe want to be held to maybe a higher (standard) — you know, things that will help us get better." The Reds have young talent but struggled defensively in the past couple of years and were sometimes overly aggressive on the bases. Francona's peers see him as someone who can handle any kind of team. He has succeeded in both big (Boston) and small (Cleveland) markets, with veteran and young teams alike. His experience is expected to make a difference for the Reds, who entered the 2024 season with high expectations but ended up with more questions than answers. Pat Murphy, who won the National League Central in his first year as the Milwaukee Brewers manager and was named Manager of the Year, said, "I think he's one of the greats myself." Francona's replacement in Cleveland, Stephen Vogt, won this year's American League Manager of the Year award, and Matt Quartaro finished second. Both Vogt and Quartaro coached under Francona and have great respect for him. Quartaro said, "He's an ultimate difference maker from top to bottom. Everybody's included. I remember when he hired me, it was a feeling of — that was the biggest decision they were going to make that winter was hiring me as an assistant hitting coach. He has the ability to welcome people, teach people. You're going to learn a lot just by watching him and listening to him."Xavier's Baseball Legacy Continues with O’Conner's Contract Extension
Coach O’Conner's Early Success
Since being hired in June 2017, O’Conner has led the Musketeers to an impressive 182 wins. In the last three seasons alone, the team has achieved 30-plus wins each year, capturing the Big East Tournament title and earning an NCAA Tournament berth in 2023. This remarkable feat saw Xavier tie a school record with 39 wins, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with in college baseball.Under O’Conner's leadership, the Musketeers have shown consistent competitiveness at the top of the Big East Conference. Vice President and Director of Athletics Greg Christopher praised O’Conner's teams, stating that they have always competed at a high level while also upholding academic and off-field standards that make Xavier University proud.
Last Season's Performance
Last season, the Musketeers were the No. 4 seed in the Big East Tournament and finished with a record of 30-27. Despite the challenging season, O’Conner's team demonstrated their resilience and determination.Before taking on the role of head coach, O’Conner served as an assistant from 2014-2017. During this time, he played a crucial role in guiding the Musketeers to three conference titles and consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament regional finals. His experience and leadership have been instrumental in the team's success.
Unlock the Potential of Roki Sasaki in Major League Baseball
The Journey of Roki Sasaki with the Lotte Marines
Roki Sasaki has been an integral part of the Lotte Marines for several seasons. Hailing from Iwate Prefecture, he has shown remarkable skills on the mound. Over four seasons with the Marines, he has amassed a 29-15 career record with an impressive 2.10 ERA. His fastball can reach astonishing speeds of up to 165 kilometers (102.5 miles) per hour. In 2024 alone, he posted a career-high 10 wins against five losses with a 2.35 ERA in 18 games, striking out 129 batters in 111 innings. This level of performance has made him a highly coveted pitcher in the baseball world.
On April 10, 2022, Sasaki achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the youngest pitcher in NPB history to throw a perfect game at just 20 years and five months. His next start a week later was equally impressive as he threw eight perfect innings before being replaced by a reliever in the ninth. These moments have solidified his status as a baseball star.
The Impact of MLB Posting on Roki Sasaki
With the MLB posting system now in play, Sasaki's career takes on a new dimension. As an international amateur free agent under 25, his first contract will be a minor league deal. This presents both challenges and opportunities. The 2024 international signing period ends on December 15, and the 2025 period begins on January 15. According to U.S. media, Sasaki is expected to sign a contract in late January. This waiting period adds an element of excitement and anticipation as fans and teams await his next move.
The posting system allows major league teams to compete for Sasaki's services, which could potentially lead to a significant boost in his career. It also opens up new possibilities and challenges for him as he transitions to the international stage. His ability to adapt and perform in a major league environment will be closely watched by baseball enthusiasts around the world.
Related Coverage and Future Prospects
There has been extensive coverage of Roki Sasaki's journey, including articles such as "Baseball: Flamethrower Roki Sasaki to be posted at winter meetings" and "Baseball: Ichiro headlines U.S. Hall of Fame 2025 ballot". These articles highlight his significance in the baseball world and the anticipation surrounding his MLB posting.
Looking ahead, Sasaki's future in major league baseball is filled with potential. His talent and track record suggest that he has the ability to make a significant impact at the highest level. As he navigates the posting process and potentially signs with a major league team, baseball fans will be eagerly following his every move.