Yankees Manager Debate: Russo’s Argument for Francona
Instead of picking a former 2003 ALCS star to manage, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo thinks the Yankees should consider a key figure from the 2004 team.
Russo, previously a WFAN host for SiriusXM and ESPN, voiced his opinion on “The Show” podcast with Joel Sherman and John Heyman. He suggested that rather than sticking with Aaron Boone—who isn’t viewed as a top-tier manager—the Yankees should go after Terry Francona this winter.
“Are you really saying Boone is better than Francona? Have you lost your mind? How did Francona end up managing the Reds?” Russo exclaimed in a recent episode.
He mentioned that the Yankees reached out to see if Francona was available, alluding to the struggles in the World Series, where Francona, who many seem to admire, could have made a difference.
Many fans are critical of both Boone and General Manager Brian Cashman as the Yankees fight to maintain their spot in the AL playoff race. This season marks Boone’s eighth, where the team has managed to snag one pennant and win a World Series game, but the pressure seems ever-present.
Russo named several managers he believes are performing better than Boone. These included Francona, Boston’s Alex Cora, Texas’s Bruce Bochy, Dave Roberts from the Dodgers, and others. He implied that Boone ranks just eighth among managers in the league, but he wasn’t shy about pointing out that there are clearly better options available.
Francona, 66, has led the Boston Red Sox to two championships and is widely regarded as one of the great managers in baseball history. His success, especially with Cleveland, has placed him in high esteem among fans and analysts alike.
However, one flaw in Russo’s argument is the logistics around hiring Francona. There’s a timeline issue since Francona was appointed by Cincinnati on October 7, 2024, while the Yankees’ season concluded on October 30. Boone also still had a year left on his contract when he received a two-year extension through the 2027 season.
While Boone’s leadership has drawn mixed reactions from fans, he has the support of team captain Aaron Judge. Judge emphasized Boone’s dedication: “He cares about everyone in this room. It doesn’t matter if you’re a rookie or a veteran; he makes each one of us feel important.”
Despite Boone’s mixed track record alongside Cashman and owner Hal Steinbrenner, things could shift quickly if the Yankees falter and miss the playoffs for the first time in three years. Currently, they are in a tight race for the final Wild Card spot.
With the team’s erratic performance, a failure to make the playoffs could be viewed very harshly, especially considering that 40% of the league qualifies for postseason play.
