Tito Goes 4 for 5

As the Boston Red Sox' closer, Jonathan Papelbon, retired Victor Martinez on a pop to short to end tonight's game against the Cleveland Indians, Liza Minelli broke into the lovely strains of New York, New York, signalling the biggest NYA loss of the season: elimination from the playoff chase for the first time since 1994. (Sinatra's version follows an NYA victory; take a break Frank, they don't need you any more this year!)
At that moment, Terry Francona went 4 for 5. Tito led the Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years in his first season at the helm, 2004. In '05, the Sox were swept in the ALDS by eventual the eventual champions, Ozzie Guillen's White Sox. '06 was a disaster of injuries, and the only year so far that saw Francona out of the postseason. 2007 brought Tito's second title, and tonight his team clinched at least (most likely) the AL Wild Card.
At this moment, Terry Francona is, officially, the most successful manager in Red Sox history.
And that, almost necessarily, makes Theo Epstein the most successful General Manager in Red Sox history. Theo's contract is up at the end of the season. Word is that the Mets have extended Omar Minaya for four years. Given the Mets' performance, what does that make Theo worth? It's good to be Theo!
And Tito. He was basically run out of Philadelphia as a nice guy who was widely perceived as incompetent. Maybe he was. Maybe he wasn't. But name another young guy who went to school so well on a first managerial job in Major League Baseball.
As he sets out in pursuit of his third World Series championship, Francona has, undeniably, joined the ranks of the top handful of managers in baseball. That club basically includes Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox, Joe Torre and Lou Piniella. And now, Tito Francona.
Att'n, Messers. Henry, Werner and Lucchino: redo Terry's deal, and redo it now.
And make his contract, and Theo's, very, very rich and very, very long!