Terry Francona was introduced as the new Cleveland Indians manager this morning. His first managerial job was as skipper of the South Bend White Sox in 1992. Of course, he is best known as the manager who, in 2004, led the Boston Red Sox to their first World Series championship in 86 years.

Yesterday Jim Tracy resigned as manager of the Colorado Rockies after leading the team to a 64-98 record, the worst in franchise history. His first managerial job was as skipper of the Peoria Chiefs in 1987 and 1988.

Late last week, the Philadelphia Phillies announced that Ryne Sandberg — their Triple-A manager the past two seasons — will be the big-league club’s third-base coach and infield instructor next year. His managerial career began with a two-year stint helming the Peoria Chiefs.

Many believe Sandberg is Philadelphia’s manager-in-waiting, as current skipper Charlie Manuel will be in the last year of his contract in 2013. Incidentally, Manuel also has roots in the Midwest League, through the Wisconsin Rapids Twins as both a player and a manager. He hit .313 in 111 games with the 1967 team and got his start as a manager with the 1983 team.