Francona Deserves The Credit

    I've given Terry Francona as much grief as possible in his time as the manager of the Red Sox; most of it was justified. The fact is that Francona was given the job after the 2003 season because he was willing to follow the front office edicts about statistical reliance; was an agreeable choice for Curt Schilling, who the Red Sox were desperately trying to bring on board; and Francona was willing to take short money for the opportunity. Now, after advancing to his second World Series in four years, and both times overcoming huge series deficits to do so, it's time to give credit where credit is due.
    The Red Sox never gave up in those situations where it would have been easy to do so. Against the Yankees in 2004 and the Indians in 2007, the Red Sox could very easily have blown off the difficult task ahead of them, but didn't. This is a reflection on their manager. He may do some things that could be seen as odd strategically; he might still be a vessel for the front office to exert their will on how the game is run; but when it comes down to it, the team plays hard for him. Two World Series appearances in four years in an age of parity is nothing to ridicule regardless of how he's managed to accomplish the feat. He deserves the credit for keeping his team from veering into a ditch and making it back to the World Series.