After second Series title, Red Sox's Francona gets extension

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Take another close look at Terry Francona, because after several days of talks, the Boston skipper now is formally in position to become one of the longest-tenured and most successful managers in Red Sox history.

With two World Series titles in four seasons already on his résumé, Francona was rewarded Sunday with a three-year contract extension through 2011 that includes a two-year club option.

The deal guarantees Francona $12 million, according to CBSSports.com sources, with a base salary of $3.5 million in 2009 that escalates to $3.75 million in 2010 and $4 million in 2011. The deal includes a $750,000 buyout in the event the Red Sox don't pick up the option.

Though it ranks Francona among the game's highest-paid managers, Joe Torre remains king of that hill with his current three-year, $13 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Not only are Francona's Red Sox a contender to win a third World Series title in five seasons in 2008 -- the best run in club history was three in four seasons between 1915 and 1918 -- but, if Francona's option is picked up, this contract will take him through 2013 and give him 10 years running the club.

That would make him the second-longest tenured Red Sox manager in club history behind Joe Cronin, who guided the club for 13 seasons between 1935 and 1947.

Terry Francona and Theo Epstein have worked together to bring two World Series titles to Boston. (AP)

"I guess Joe Torre is the best recent example of a manager's success, continuity and staying power in a pressure-filled market," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said at the club's spring camp here. "I think what Tito has done very well, and us as an organization, is try to diffuse the day-to-day pressure through consistency and honesty."

"I think in a couple of days I'll never think of it again," Francona said. "But today, I feel like the ballclub showed a lot of trust in me. I'm honored and, hopefully, humbled by it."

The reaction was greeted with universal cheer in the Red Sox clubhouse, where Francona has grown into a beloved and trusted figure.

"From a players' standpoint, we feel like he has our backs no matter what," third baseman Mike Lowell said. "I think there are managers in big markets who use the media to get to players. You never see Tito do that."

"I think he's constantly adjusting. That's what makes it important," catcher Jason Varitek said. "He's learned different ways to communicate with people. He's learned different ways to communicate with me personally."

From deflecting the Manny Being Manny moments with Manny Ramirez before they become ugly to sticking with then-rookie second baseman Dustin Pedroia when he was batting .172 last May 1, Francona has demonstrated an unusual knack for relating to veterans and rookies alike.

Consequently, Francona has been able to keep control of situations that could spin away from less confident or less qualified skippers.