The Cleveland Guardians were not expected to do a whole lot entering the 2022 season.
However, after six months, the Guardians found themselves at the top of the American League Central division and headed to the postseason.
Led by manager Terry Francona, the team won 92 games and knocked out the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card Series before facing the New York Yankees in the ALDS.
A lot went right in 2022, and it all led to Francona being named the AL Manager of the Year.
Shane Bieber recently discussed what it means to him to play under Francona and how the skipper ultimately gained their respect last season.
"(He) got us to believe in each other, believe in ourselves…and prove some people wrong."@ShaneBieber19 shares what makes playing for @CleGuardians manager Terry Francona so special.#SpringTraining | #MLBTonight | @Plesac19 pic.twitter.com/seTu0CQ8UJ
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 6, 2023
Bieber praised Francona for the energy he brings to the team each day and how he motivates his team, as well as his ability to create a strong bond within the clubhouse.
The former Cy Young even says that his manager has displayed some youthful exuberance this spring and is feeling healthy as he looks to bring Cleveland back to the postseason.
Again, the Guardians were not widely considered the favorites to win the AL Central last season and didn’t get much respect from those making preseason predictions.
However, Bieber once again praised his skipper for the work he did in 2022.
Bieber says that Francona did a great job of getting everybody in the clubhouse to believe in themselves and each other as they embarked on an unforgettable journey of proving the naysayers wrong and ultimately climbing up to the top of the AL Central.
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