Epstein: Francona was an ‘unflappable leader'

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General manager Theo Epstein thanked Terry Francona for his commitment to the Red Sox Friday night, and attempted to put into words what the skipper has meant to the Sox during his tenure.

"Tito and I didnt know each other when he was hired eight years ago, but over time we developed not only a great working relationship but also a personal friendship that will always be important to both of us," Epstein said in a statement released by the team.

"He proved to be an unflappable leader for our major league club, displaying consistency, calmness, hard work, thoughtfulness, a sense of humor, and faith in the players even at the most difficult of times.

"Without Titos commitment over eight years, we would not be the organization we are today. Nobody at the Red Sox blames Tito for what happened at the end of this season; we own that as an organization. This year was certainly a difficult and draining one for him and for us.

"Ultimately, he decided that there were certain things that needed to be done that he couldnt do after eight years here, and that this team would benefit from hearing a new voice. While this may be true, his next team will benefit more than it knows from hearing Titos voice. I will miss seeing Tito every day in the managers office, and I wish him and his family nothing but the best in their next chapter."

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