CLEVELAND -- Through the ups and downs of Stephen Vogt's playing career -- the minor league demotions, two All-Star selections, injuries and too many moves to remember -- he never lost sight of his goal to one day become a manager.
For the kid who had a bat tucked into his baby crib and quickly fell for the game, the journey is complete.
"I kind of always had the dream," he said. "So it's been a pretty fun day today."
A baseball lifer with a gift of gab, charming personality and uncanny ability to connect with people, Vogt was introduced Friday by the Cleveland Guardians, who didn't need long to zero in on him as their choice in the search to find the successor to Terry Francona, the winningest manager in club history.