CINCINNATI (WXIX) - The next era of Cincinnati Reds baseball is here. Terry Francona, a three-time Manager of the Year award winner, was formally introduced as the franchise’s new manager on Monday. The 2004 World Series winning manager signed a three-year contract with the Reds, according to the team.

In a surprise development, the Cincinnati Reds have hired Terry Francona as their new manager, giving him a three-year deal with a club option for a fourth. Francona, a two-time World Series champion,

Team president Nick Krall, who barely knew Francona, called the two-time World Series champion from Chicago during the Reds’ off day before their final weekend series of the season.