The article outlines the history of Boston Red Sox managers, highlighting key figures like Terry Francona, Alex Cora, and Chad Tracy. It emphasizes the significant impact these managers have had on the team's identity and performance over the years.
Key points
The Red Sox manager role is highly scrutinized.
Managers have included traditionalists and revolutionary thinkers.
From the dominance of the early 20th century to the modern era, the identity of the Red Sox has been shaped as much by the men in the dugout as the legends on the field.
The role of the manager at Fenway Park remains one of the most scrutinized in professional sports. Over the years, the position has been held by hard-nosed traditionalists and revolutionary thinkers, each tasked with navigating the challenges of the Boston media and a fan base with championship-or-bust expectations.
From the foundational leadership of Bill Carrigan and Joe Cronin to the curse-breaking poise of Terry Francona and the championship pedigree of Alex Cora, the franchise has seen several iconic figures pass the test with flying colors. However, following Cora’s sudden dismissal in April 2026, the organization has turned to a new face to navigate the club through its latest transitional period.
Here is a complete history of Red Sox managers.
Red Sox manager history: Full timeline of Boston skippers
Who are the most notable managers in Boston Red Sox history?
Notable managers in Boston Red Sox history include Terry Francona, Alex Cora, and Chad Tracy.
What challenges do Red Sox managers face?
Red Sox managers face challenges from the intense scrutiny of the Boston media and a fan base with high championship expectations.
How has the role of the Red Sox manager evolved over time?
The role of the Red Sox manager has evolved from traditional approaches to more revolutionary strategies, reflecting changes in the game and team dynamics.
What impact do managers have on the Boston Red Sox's identity?
Managers significantly shape the Boston Red Sox's identity, influencing team culture and performance throughout the franchise's history.
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Manager
Years
Record (W-L)
Jimmy Collins*
1901–1906
455–376
Chick Stahl
1906
14–26
Cy Young
1907
3–3
George Huff
1907
2–6
Bob Unglaub
1907
9–20
Deacon McGuire
1907–1908
98–123
Fred Lake
1908–1909
110–80
Patsy Donovan
1910–1911
159–147
Jake Stahl*
1912–1913
144–88
Bill Carrigan*
1913–1916, 1927–1929
489–500
Jack Barry
1917
90–62
Ed Barrow*
1918–1920
213–203
Hugh Duffy
1921–1922
136–172
Frank Chance
1923
61–91
Lee Fohl
1924–1926
160–299
Heinie Wagner
1930
52–102
Shano Collins
1931–1932
73–134
Marty McManus
1932–1933
95–153
Bucky Harris
1934
76–76
Joe Cronin
1935–1947
1,071–916
Joe McCarthy
1948–1950
223–145
Steve O'Neill
1950–1951
150–99
Lou Boudreau
1952–1954
229–232
Pinky Higgins
1955–1959, 1960–1962
560-556
Rudy York
1959
0–1
Billy Jurges
1959–1960
59–63
Del Baker
1960
2–5
Johnny Pesky
1963–1964, 1980
147–179
Billy Herman
1964–1966
128–182
Pete Runnels
1966
8–8
Dick Williams
1967–1969
260–217
Eddie Popowski
1969, 1973
6–4
Eddie Kasko
1970–1973
345–295
Darrell Johnson
1974–1976
220–188
Don Zimmer
1976–1980
411–304
Ralph Houk
1981–1984
312–282
John McNamara
1985–1988
297–273
Joe Morgan
1988–1991
301–262
Butch Hobson
1992–1994
207–232
Kevin Kennedy
1995–1996
171–135
Jimy Williams
1997–2001
414–352
Joe Kerrigan
2001
17–26
Grady Little
2002–2003
188–136
Terry Francona*
2004–2011
744–552
Bobby Valentine
2012
69–93
John Farrell*
2013–2017
432–378
Alex Cora*
2018–2019, 2021-2026
620-541
Ron Roenicke
2020
24–36
Chad Tracy
2026-present*
*Won World Series
Best Managers in Red Sox history
Jimmy Collins (1901–1906)
Collins was the original manager of the Boston Americans, taking the helm when the franchise was founded in 1901. A Hall of Fame third baseman, he jumped from the National League to lead the new American League club as a player-manager.
In 1903, Collins managed the team to a victory in the first-ever modern World Series, defeating the Pirates. He proved to be a masterful leader of a veteran staff that included the legendary Cy Young. Under his guidance, the team won back-to-back pennants in 1903 and 1904, establishing Boston as the AL's premier powerhouse.
Bill Carrigan (1913–1916, 1927–1929)
Carrigan was the heart of the first Red Sox dynasty. A tough-as-nails catcher, he took over as player-manager in 1913 and promptly led the team to back-to-back World Series titles in 1915 and 1916.
Until Terry Francona arrived nearly a century later, Carrigan was the only manager in franchise history to own multiple World Series rings. He is also famous for his role as a mentor to a young Babe Ruth.
Joe Cronin (1935-1947)
Cronin holds the distinction of being the longest-tenured manager in Red Sox history, leading the club for 13 seasons. He was the manager during the prime years of Ted Williams' career, helping transition the Red Sox from a bottom-tier team into a consistent American League contender.
His finest season on the bench came in 1946 when he led the Red Sox to 104 wins and their first pennant in 28 years. Although the team fell just short in a seven-game World Series against the Cardinals, Cronin's leadership solidified Boston as one of the top teams in the majors. He finished his career with 1,071 wins, a franchise record that still stands today.
Joe McCarthy (1948–1950)
McCarthy came to Boston as a living legend, having already won seven World Series titles with the rival Yankees. Despite only managing the Red Sox for two-plus seasons, he left an indelible mark on the record books. He holds the highest winning percentage (.606) of any manager in the history of the franchise who served for at least two full seasons.
McCarthy's style brought a level of professional discipline that nearly pushed the Red Sox over the hump in the late 1940s. He led the team to 96 wins in both 1948 and 1949, missing out on the pennant by a single game in back-to-back years.
Terry Francona (2004-2011)
Francona is arguably the most transformative figure in Red Sox history, best known for finally breaking the "Curse of the Bambino" in 2004 and securing the franchise's first World Series title in 86 years.
After the team fell behind 3-0 to the Yankees in the ALCS, Francona helped guide the Red Sox to the greatest comeback in sports history. Boston is still the only team in MLB history to pull off a 3-0 comeback. Boston went on to win the World Series with a dominant sweep of the Cardinals.
Beyond the 2004 miracle, "Tito" established a culture of consistent winning that had eluded the franchise for decades. He led the team to a second World Series sweep in 2007 and departed in 2011 with 744 wins, the second-most in team history.
Alex Cora (2018-2019, 2021-2026)
Cora made an immediate impact by leading the 2018 Red Sox to what is widely considered the greatest overall season in franchise history. In his rookie year as Boston's manager, he led the team to a record-breaking 108-54 record and dominant 11-3 run through the postseason. The Red Sox won the World Series in five games over the Dodgers.
After a suspension forced him to miss the entire 2020 MLB season, Cora returned in 2021 and immediately brought Boston within two wins of the World Series. His second tenure has been defined by his ability to maximize rosters during transitional periods, often keeping the team competitive in the AL East despite significant turnover.
Cora’s second tenure officially concluded on April 25, 2026, when he was relieved of his duties by Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow. In a move that stunned the baseball world, the dismissal was announced just hours after the Red Sox had secured an emphatic 17-1 victory over the Orioles. The decision followed a rocky 10-17 start to the season, with the front office opting for a wholesale leadership change that included the firing of five other members of the coaching staff. The organization cited the team's early-season struggles and the need for a "new voice" to guide the club moving forward.
Chad Tracy (2026-present)
After the club parted ways with Cora and the majority of the staff, Tracy was named the interim manager for the 2026 season. Tracy was promoted from his position as manager of the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, where he had served since 2022. Tracy led the WooSox to four consecutive winning seasons—the first Triple-A manager in the organization to do so since the 1930s.
At the time of his promotion, Tracy was just one victory away from his 500th career minor league managerial win.
