It was a mid-September day, and Terry Francona was sitting at home in a rocking chair -- far removed, physically and emotionally, from the pulse of any playoff race or pressure. As we talked over the phone,

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.

Terry Francona ended his brief retirement from baseball to accept a new role as manager of the Cincinnati Reds, the franchise announced Friday.