Team president Nick Krall, who barely knew Francona, called the two-time World Series champion from Chicago during the Reds’ off day before their final weekend series of the season.

Major League Baseball prefers any off-field news to not conflict with the playoffs. The first playoff game Monday is scheduled for 4:08 p.m. The three-time Manager of the Year, who guided two Boston Red Sox teams to world championships and the 2016 Indians to Game 7 of the World Series,

Terry Francona has been hired to manage the Cincinnati Reds, returning to the major leagues a year after he stepped down in Cleveland because of health reasons