Francona hired as Cleveland Indians manager

CLEVELAND Terry Francona has been hired as manager of the Cleveland Indians.

Francona, who won two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox, accepted the Indians' offer on Saturday and will take over a team that collapsed in the second half this season after a promising first four months.

The 53-year-old will be introduced as Cleveland's 42nd manager during a Monday news conference at Progressive Field, the Indians said in a statement Saturday.

Cleveland chose Francona over Sandy Alomar Jr., who served as the club's interim manager for the final six games after Manny Acta was fired on Sept. 27. Francona and Alomar were the only candidates to interview for the Indians' opening.

Francona has worked as an analyst for ESPN this season. His father, Tito, played for the Indians from 1959-64.