ST. LOUIS - Former Boston manager Terry Francona might not have to wait long for a return to the dugout.
Francona interviewed with the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday for the managerial opening created by the retirement of Tony La Russa, a club source confirmed.
"I was honored that they asked me to interview," Francona told FOXSportsMidwest.com. "I was appreciative. St. Louis has a long history of just wonderful fans and great baseball and the tradition. I took it as a huge honor that they asked me to interview."
The interview took place in Cincinnati, where Cardinals chairman and principal owner Bill DeWitt resides. The rest of the Cardinals four-person search committee was on hand as well -- general manager John Mozeliak, assistant GM Michael Girsch and special assistant to the GM Mike Jorgensen.
The Cardinals have interviewed four candidates since beginning the process late last week but Francona is the only one with prior major league managing experience.
Francona spent eight years in Boston, leading the Red Sox to a pair of World Series Championships in 2004 and 2007. He celebrated his 1,000th win as a big-league manager in July.
"They have to interview more people, that’s part of the process," Francona said. "I was just honored that they asked me to interview. I'm sure they are going to make a good decision, the best one they feel for their organization."
The 52-year-old Francona has 15 years of coaching experience at the big-league level including 12 as a manager. In addition to his eight years in Boston, Francona spent four years as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies from 1997-2000.
Francona has also served as the third-base coach with the Detroit Tigers (1996) and bench coach with the Texas Rangers (2002) and Oakland Athletics (2003).
A former first-round draft pick of the Montreal Expos in 1980, Francona played 10 big-league seasons as a first baseman and outfielder and hit .274 with the Expos, Cubs, Reds, Indians and Brewers.
Francona finished his playing career in the Cardinals organization in 1990 with their Triple-A affiliate in Louisville.
Former Cardinals Joe McEwing and Mike Matheny interviewed for the job last week, as did Triple-A Memphis manager Chris Maloney.
A source said two more interviews are scheduled for Wednesday. They are expected to be Cubs Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg and current third-base coach Jose Oquendo.
Francona interviewed with the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday for the managerial opening created by the retirement of Tony La Russa, a club source confirmed.
"I was honored that they asked me to interview," Francona told FOXSportsMidwest.com. "I was appreciative. St. Louis has a long history of just wonderful fans and great baseball and the tradition. I took it as a huge honor that they asked me to interview."
The interview took place in Cincinnati, where Cardinals chairman and principal owner Bill DeWitt resides. The rest of the Cardinals four-person search committee was on hand as well -- general manager John Mozeliak, assistant GM Michael Girsch and special assistant to the GM Mike Jorgensen.
The Cardinals have interviewed four candidates since beginning the process late last week but Francona is the only one with prior major league managing experience.
Francona spent eight years in Boston, leading the Red Sox to a pair of World Series Championships in 2004 and 2007. He celebrated his 1,000th win as a big-league manager in July.
"They have to interview more people, that’s part of the process," Francona said. "I was just honored that they asked me to interview. I'm sure they are going to make a good decision, the best one they feel for their organization."
The 52-year-old Francona has 15 years of coaching experience at the big-league level including 12 as a manager. In addition to his eight years in Boston, Francona spent four years as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies from 1997-2000.
Francona has also served as the third-base coach with the Detroit Tigers (1996) and bench coach with the Texas Rangers (2002) and Oakland Athletics (2003).
A former first-round draft pick of the Montreal Expos in 1980, Francona played 10 big-league seasons as a first baseman and outfielder and hit .274 with the Expos, Cubs, Reds, Indians and Brewers.
Francona finished his playing career in the Cardinals organization in 1990 with their Triple-A affiliate in Louisville.
Former Cardinals Joe McEwing and Mike Matheny interviewed for the job last week, as did Triple-A Memphis manager Chris Maloney.
A source said two more interviews are scheduled for Wednesday. They are expected to be Cubs Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg and current third-base coach Jose Oquendo.
