Indians introduce Terry Francona as the franchise's new manager

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Indians introduced Terry Francona as the 42nd manager in franchise history on Monday morning.

This is the third team Francona has managed. The 53-year old spent four seasons as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies from 1997-2000. From 2004-2011 Francona managed the Boston Red Sox where he won two World Series titles in 2004 and 2007. Francona worked in the Indians front office as a special assistant to general manager Mark Shapiro in 2001 and played for the tribe in 1988.

Francona said: "I know we have alot of challanges ahead of us but I am looking forward to tackling it as a we"

The Indians hope Francona can lead the Indians to their first World Series championship since 1948.

Francona said: " I will spend all my energy making sure this team plays baseball correctly"

Francona agrees to a four-year contact. He replaces Sandy Alomar Jr. who served as interim manager for the Indians' final six games of the 2012 season after Manny Acta was fired on September 27 following the team's collapse in the second half of the season. After being in first place in the American League central division for 40 days, the Indians finished the 2012 season in fourth place with a 68-94 record.

Francona spent the 2012 Major League Baseball season as an analyst for ESPN.

Francona will wear number 47.