Terry Francona, the newly appointed manager of the Cincinnati Reds, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to a team eager to return to postseason glory. Hired in October 2024 after a year away from baseball, Francona emerged from retirement to take the helm of a young, talented Reds squad that has struggled to translate potential into consistent success. As of March 13, 2025, with spring training underway, Francona’s presence has already injected optimism into a franchise that hasn’t reached the playoffs in a full season since 2013. Francona’s managerial resume is nothing short of illustrious. A likely future Hall of Famer, he boasts two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox (2004, 2007), ending the infamous Curse of the Bambino, and led the Cleveland Guardians to an American League pennant in 2016. Over 23 seasons as a manager, he has amassed 1,950 wins, earned three Manager of the Year awards, and posted winning records in 18 of his last 19 seasons. His decision to unretire came after Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall and GM Brad Meador visited him in Tucson, sparking a renewed sense of purpose. Francona has cited health challenges as a reason for stepping away in 2023, but surgeries to replace his shoulder and repair a double hernia during his hiatus revitalized him for this new chapter. Known for his humor and player-friendly approach, Francona has quickly endeared himself to Reds fans and players alike. His spring training debut on February 22, 2025, marked his return to the dugout after 510 days, managing a split-squad game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Early reports highlight his enthusiasm—“My favorite place in the world is the ballpark,” he said—and his focus on fostering a competitive culture. He’s already navigating challenges, such as prospect Cam Collier’s thumb surgery, with a pragmatic optimism that resonates with the team. Francona inherits a roster brimming with potential, led by stars like Elly De La Cruz and Hunter Greene, alongside promising talents like Matt McLain and Spencer Steer. His challenge is clear: harness this youth movement to end Cincinnati’s playoff drought. With his history of turning teams into contenders, Francona’s leadership could be the catalyst the Reds need to reclaim their place among baseball’s elite in 2025 and beyond.

Even though we are far, far away from mthe start of another football season, the bengals continue to dominate the local sports headlines….what a week. First they cut guard alex cappa, who by the way, signed a two-year deal last night with the la raiders. Then the team put the franchise tag on receiver tee higgins….the team has time to sign him to a long-term deal, we will discuss that. Maxx crosby signs a monster extension with the raiders, and you’re thinking, who cares? Trey hendrickson, that’s who. Hendrickson has 35 sacks the last two years….crosby has 22. Hendrickson makes 16 million o the final year of his contract. Crosby’s new deal is for an average of 34 million per year. Then just yesterday, fan favorite sam hubbard called it a career announcing his retirement. The moeller high and Ohio state alum played seven seasons in stripes and will be forever remembered by the 98-yard fumble return in the playoffs three years ago. Congratulations to Sam Hubbard….good player and an even better guy. College hoops…….We are down to the final weekend of the regular season and on the local front, x is going up, the bearcats have hit rock bottom. The x men moved to 20-10 on the year after blasting butler last night 91-78. Zach fremantle poured in 24. The bearcats blew a seven point lead over the final 14 minutes in a loss to kansas state. The wildcats did not score a field goal for the final four minutes of the game and still won! Will X make the ncaa tournament? UC? We will discuss those two and look at two other local teams on the bubble, ohio state and indiana…those two teams collide saturday in bloomington. As for the reds…..Hunter greene was sharp against the rangers yesterday going four innings of two-hit, shutout baseball….he fanned six and walked one. The reds have lost three straight and will host the giants later this afternoon at 3:05 est. BENGALS Hubbard Tee/ hendrickson/ chase: A report said bengals arent close on any of the three. 40 million in cap space….could be more. Free agency begins this weds….. College hoops…. X UC OSU/IU Bubble teams

Watch Dialed Presented by UDF with Chatterbox Sports Monday & Friday 9:15 a.m. - 10 a.m. LIVE on the Chatterbox Sports YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE to the channel to ensure you never miss a thing The Dialed in Group discuss the comments made by Joe Burrow and Trey Hendrickson and the amount of pressure that the players are putting on the front office to get it right. We talk about the Super Bowl and our BIG and BOLD predictions for the game. We react to the Reds win total projections. We also react to the Bearcats and Musketeer basketball programs... One team is still fighting the other has rolled over (Unless Bob Huggins Lights a fire under their @$$! )