This story was excerpted from Ian Browne’s Red Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Believe it or not, Terry Francona is now in his 11th year managing the Guardians following his memorable eight-year run in Boston, which included World Series championships in 2004 and ’07.

I had the privilege to cover Tito for his entire tenure as the manager of the Red Sox. It was a treat to catch up with him in his office in Cleveland this week.

MLB.com: When MLB Network came to you and told you they were doing a documentary on your life in baseball, what was your reaction?

Francona: I didn’t know. I should have. When people ask me stuff during the winter, it’s kind of a running joke because I’m like, ‘Yeah, whatever.’ I thought it was a five, six-minute thing for [an MLB Network show]. When I really listened and I was like, wow. I got so uncomfortable. I had to apologize to the guys that were doing the filming. Because I was like, man, as a manager, it’s about everybody else. And it's supposed to be. All of a sudden, this is about me, and I was really uncomfortable. So I didn't pay good enough attention in the beginning. I was honored, but unbelievably uncomfortable.

MLB.com: Have you watched it?

Francona: No, not yet. Someday, maybe. I don’t think it serves my job well to go watch something about myself. Someday. Not now.

MLB.com: Healthwise, how much better do you feel than the past few years?

Francona: I’m doing pretty good. I got a couple of things I’ve got coming up after the year. I’ve got a couple of hernias. I’m getting my shoulder replaced. But it's nothing like, blood clot-ish. I think I’m doing OK.

MLB.com: You went through the ringer for a couple of years, right?

Francona: For a couple of years, it was really, really tough. Really tough.

MLB.com: Did that make you wonder how much longer you can keep doing this?

Francona: Yes. And I still think about that now. I'm 64. And there are days when I’ll think [about it]. Just think. Which, you know, I think I kind of have the right to do because I want to do this job right. I don’t want to shortchange anybody, but also want to make sure I make good decisions for my life.

MLB.com: Do you think you’ll know when it’s time?

Francona: I don’t know. I talked to Jim Leyland about it. I really respect him so much. I called him last year and just bent his ear for about 20 minutes because I wanted to talk to him about it.

MLB.com: I’ve noticed that your personality has really come out since you’ve been managing in Cleveland, and that’s been fun to watch. Boston is just a different vibe, right?

Francona: It is. You’ve got to be younger and more energetic to be in Boston. There’s just a lot going on. And that’s not bad. I’m not younger anymore.

MLB.com: Obviously there’s stress for anyone who manages the Red Sox. Still, how much do you appreciate what those eight years of your life meant to you?

Francona: If you like baseball or you love baseball, there can be no better place. And I know that. And I knew it. It’s sometimes hard, but that doesn’t mean it’s not awesome. I knew that. Sometimes it’s time to move on. I think it’s worked out for everybody.

MLB.com: You always hear about the Tito managing tree. How much does that mean to you, seeing so many of your former players managing and having success? Knowing you, I’m guessing you don’t want to take the credit for it.

Francona: I think some of these players, maybe I was lucky to have players like that, that had those traits. And I probably learned as much from them as they ever learned from me. I’m proud of the guys. But I don’t think there’s some magic formula.

MLB.com: This is Alex Cora’s fifth season with the Red Sox, and obviously he’s had ups and downs like anybody, but how proud of him are you, just because you know what it takes to manage there?

Francona: I texted him the night after [Game 3 of the 2018 World Series] in L.A. when it didn’t go right, and I said, ‘Alex, I’m so proud of you. You did what you thought was right. You answered the questions when it was over.’ I said, ‘You’ll probably come back and win.’ And they did.

MLB.com: Not everyone has the personality to manage in Boston, but how well-suited do you think Alex is for it?

Francona: He’s the right guy. He’s got energy. He’s confident enough where he can do what he’s going to do, take the bullets and move on.