Terry Francona's endearing link to Reds' royalty could make 2025 season very special

The Cincinnati Reds have officially hired Terry Francona to take over the reins as the team's manager heading into the 2025 season. Francona and the Reds agreed to a three-year contract with a club-option for the 2028 season.

Francona has a Hall of Fame résumé and could quite possibiy be the leader that this young Reds team needs. The Reds faltered in 2024 under David Bell's leadership, and the fanbase is hopeful that the addition of Francona will bring winning baseball back to Cincinnati.

But there's an interesting link between Francona and one of the greatest Reds players to ever don the wishbone 'C' on his cap. Francona played for the Reds during the 1987 season under no other than Pete Rose. A Reds legend, Rose sadly passed away earlier this week at the age of 83.

Terry Francona's endearing link to Pete Rose could make 2025 season very special

That 1987 team managed by Rose finished second in the National League West with a 84-78 record. Francona was utility infielder and played in 102 games. The then-28-year-old Francona hit .227/.266/.295 during his lone season in Cincinnati. From there, he went on to play three more seasons before retiring from baseball after the 1990 season.

The entire Reds organization along with their fanbase have been sharing fond memories of Rose for the past week. An icon in the sport, Rose famously recorded his 4,192nd hit in front of a capacity crowd at Riverfront Stadium on September 11, 1985 and was also a key member of two World Series championships.

It's almost a guarantee that the Reds will celebrate the life and achievements of Rose during the 2025 season. Like the club has done with in the past with Frank Robinson's No. 20 and Joe Morgan's No. 8, Reds fans should expect to see Rose's No. 14 to adorn the outfield wall near the left field foul pole throughout next season.

The Reds should also have a very talented ball club. With stars like Hunter Greene and Elly De La Cruz now being led by Francona, the Reds may at last have the leadership and talent to get back to the postseason. A lot of Reds fans didn't know what to expect heading into the 2025 season, but it will now be one filled with great memories from the past and optimism for the future.

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