Terrence Jon Francona, nicknamed "Tito", is an American former baseball manager and player who was the manager of the Cleveland Indians/Guardians in Major League Baseball (MLB) for eleven seasons. Previously, he was the manager of the Boston Red Sox for eight seasons, whom he led to two World Series titles, ending the franchise's 86-year championship drought.
Francona with the Cleveland Indians in 2016
Francona as a manager for the Boston Red Sox in 2011
Francona signing autographs during the 2016 World Series
The 2004 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2004 season. The 100th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the American League (AL) champion Boston Red Sox and the National League (NL) champion St. Louis Cardinals; the Red Sox beat the Cardinals in four games. The series was played from October 23 to 27, 2004, at Fenway Park and Busch Memorial Stadium, broadcast on Fox, and watched by an average of just under 25.5 million viewers. The Red Sox's World Series championship was their first since 1918, ending the Curse of the Bambino.
The Red Sox hired Terry Francona as their manager during the 2003–04 off-season.
Albert Pujols, seen here in 2007, hit 46 home runs, then a career-high.
Schilling, seen here in 2007, started and won Game 2 for the Red Sox.
Ramírez, seen here during spring training in 2007, was named the series MVP.