Until now, this lack of reverence and respect has been demonstrated even by the very men who pay Francona's salary. Red Sox ownership gave Francona a three-year, $1.65 million deal before the 2004 season and never tore it up after the Sox won the World Series. Seems a little odd given that Joe Torre makes $5.5 million per year and Dusty Baker gets $4.5 milllion. Oh, and then there's Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who makes almost 10 times what Francona makes and probably won't make the playoffs.
Until this week, it seemed the Sox were willing to let Francona start the 2006 season as a lame duck manager, but yesterday the ballclub announced that Francona's contract has been extended through the 2008 season. No details were released, but the Sox no doubt gave Francona a significant bump in salary.
''I'm very pleased and very appreciative for a lot of reasons," said Francona after yesterday's 9-7 loss to the Reds.
According to Francona and general manager Theo Epstein, Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino told the manager that his contract status would be addressed in spring training. About a week before the exhibition games started, Francona went out to dinner with Epstein and Sox executives John Henry, Tom Werner, and Lucchino.
''I came out of that feeling like we would get something done," said the manager, who was represented by agent Pat Rooney. ''They had me that night. I just needed to try and get some more money."
Epstein said, ''There was never really a question for us. It made all the sense in the world to give him and the organization some security. We feel he's grown on the job and getting better. It was best to get it done now. He's been everything we've hoped for and more. He's exactly the guy we want to lead us on the field."
Francona added, ''I think you know I have not been real shook up about this the whole spring. I did not want this to become a story."
