According to the Associated Press they'll have a press conference tomorrow to officially introduce their new manager.

Be afraid, Red Sox Nation. Be very afraid.

Ruh roh... Why, what's wrong with Francona, Joe? Theo and the guys seem to think he's the best thing since, umm, Grady Little!

His coddling the players, and giving lots of playing time to bench players no matter how incompetent, led to a "winning-isn't-all-that-important" atmosphere, which led to four losing seasons.

Joe, it's two o'clock in the afternoon here in Boston and one of the local TV stations interupted their airing of a soap opera to announce the hiring of Francona. Although I didn't check, I'm sure all the other stations did the same thing. It's HUGE news up here. Boston is a small place, really, and the devotion we Red Sox fans have for the team is a type of intensity that I can't describe. If Francona is unaware of the passion and intensity of the fans and the hyper analysis of the media in this town he will be rudely and disrespectfully greeted. That presupposes, ofcourse, that the team is losing and losing badly with all the talent there. If he wins with the Red Sox he will be beatified; if he wins a World Series he will be made a saint and forever a part of the iconography of Red Sox Nation. We're aware of the criticisms made about his days in Philadelphia as no doubt he is. I just hope he learned from them. I don't think he lived in a vacuum, I'm not trying to be flip here, so he has to know what happened to the Sox and Grady Gump (I still can't get over it. I can only say Gump's name in vain while hurling vitriol at some poor slob who happens to come into my orbit when I'm in an ill-tempered mood.) last season. If he misses all this, then you are right - we're in big trouble. If you're a praying man, pray for us. We'll need the help.