Tribe schedules interview with Francona

Cleveland Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND

Terry Francona says he’s been getting a lot of texts and calls from friends since it became official that he’s a candidate to manage the Indians. The gist of the messages goes something like this, “What are you doing?”

“People don’t know me very well if they don’t know I like a challenge,” said Francona from his home in Tucson, Ariz. “I’m excited by a challenge and I’m not afraid of a challenge. Especially, when I can do it with people I respect and care about.”

Managing the Indians will be a challenge and then some. After spending 40 days in first place in the AL Central, the Tribe slumped dramatically after the All-Star break. Manager Manny Acta was fired Thursday and the Tribe, under acting manager Sandy Alomar, went into Saturday night’s game tied for last place with Kansas City in the AL Central.

Francona said he will interview with the Indians in Cleveland toward the end of the upcoming week. The season ends Wednesday and it’s believed Alomar will get the first interview.

Francona, currently working for ESPN, managed Boston from 2004 through 2011. He led the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and ‘07.

“Stepping back and getting away for a year really helped me,” said Francona, who has managed 12 years in the big leagues and owns a 1,029-915 record. “I wouldn’t be interviewing unless I was extremely excited.”

As excited as Francona is, there was someone else more excited.

“When I told my dad I was interviewing with the Cleveland Indians, he was probably the happiest man in the world,” said Francona.

Tito Francona, 78, played for the Indians from 1959 through 1964. He hit .366 (143-for-399) and finished fifth in AL MVP voting in 1959.