Terry Francona has been hired to manage the Cincinnati Reds, returning to a team he played for after stepping down in Cleveland following last season because of health reasons.

If that wasn’t evident in the hiring of Francona, 65, a year after his so-called retirement from the Guardians – echoing the Texas Rangers’ hiring of Bruce Bochy ahead of their 2023 World Series title – it certainly was evident in how quickly the Reds moved to close a deal once Francona expressed a willingness to manage again.