After a last-place finish in 2012 under Bobby Valentine, John Farrell has the Boston Red Sox within a victory of the World Series.
Farrell served as Boston's pitching coach under Terry Francona from 2007 until 2010, when he left to manage the Toronto Blue Jays. Farrell learned a lot from Francona and the two have been in touched as the Red Sox march towards another championship.
"In his own way, Tito, he can send some messages that might be a little bit different to others, but having been around him so much and when he says certain things, you take it to heart," Farrell said.
"We talked more probably in the Division and Championship Series rather than [the World Series]. We always reach out to one another, either in a brief text or an occasional phone call where you have a chance to ask him some questions. But I can't say that it's really been anything outside the norm between he and I, as we've gone through the postseason."