New manager Stephen Vogt has begun his managerial career by leading his Cleveland Guardians to a strong 8-3 start as they sit atop the AL Central, and most fans and analysts agree that he has done a great job leading the team so far.
He had big shoes to fill by taking over for one of the best to ever do it, and one analyst recently said that he’s just the man to fill those shoes.
Former first baseman and current analyst Sean Casey said on MLB Network in regards to Vogt: “I almost feel like he’s Terry Francona 2.0, I really do.”
"I almost feel like he's Terry Francona 2.0, I really do."
– @TheMayorsOffice on Stephen Vogt and the @CleGuardians' 8-2 start to the season. #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/3e6WFNCwSP
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 9, 2024
That’s high praise for Vogt to be compared to one of the best of all time, as Francona most famously led the 2004 Boston Red Sox to their first World Series championship in 86 years before leading them to a second championship in 2007.
Francona then managed Cleveland for 11 years, winning at least 90 games in six of those years and most notably leading the team to Game 7 of the 2016 World Series before unfortunately losing to the Chicago Cubs.
While Tito was so successful in terms of winning games, his biggest impact was always in the clubhouse where he was consistently one of the best personalities to have leading a team.
Francona was always loved by his players and his light-hearted nature was a delight to watch on screen.
If Vogt can be anything like Francona, this franchise is in for some great years and Vogt will have a long managerial career ahead of him.
NEXT: Stephen Vogt Details His Views On Arguing With Umpires
