Cleveland Guardians Hire Stephen Vogt as Manager

The search for Terry Francona’s replacement in Cleveland is over. 

The Cleveland Guardians have hired Stephen Vogt as the organization’s manager, it was announced on Monday. 

Vogt, 39, will be undertaking his first managerial job following his 10-year career in the majors, where he spent time with six different franchises, including six seasons with the Oakland Athletics. 

During Francona’s 11-year stint in Cleveland, the organization went 921-757, won the American League Central Division four times and won the American League pennant in 2016 before losing the World Series to the Chicago Cubs in Game 7. 

Vogt is now tasked with taking the reins of one of baseball’s youngest team’s from a living legend of the game as he becomes Cleveland’s 45th manager in franchise history. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Stephen and his family to Northeast Ohio and to name him the next manager of the Cleveland Guardians,” said President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti in a release. "Stephen earned a reputation as one of the best teammates in the game across his 16-year career as a player, and we've greatly enjoyed the opportunity to get to know him over the past several weeks. Stephen has thought critically about the type of leader and manager he wants to be. His deep care for others, his ability to build meaningful relationships with those around him, and his open-mindedness and curiosity make him an ideal fit to lead our club moving forward. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Stephen."

Vogt last played for Oakland in 2022 before retiring. He spent the 2023 season serving as the bullpen and quality control coach for the Seattle Mariners. Vogt now becomes the second-youngest active manager in Major League Baseball. 

Cleveland also reportedly had an interest in current Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell for its managerial vacancy before deciding on Vogt.