BOSTON -- In his first season as Red Sox manager, John Farrell did what seemed impossible, leading a last-place team to a world championship.

While celebrating Boston's third title in the past decade after Wednesday's Game 6 World Series-clinching win, Farrell made sure to mention another Red Sox manager who accomplished similar feats.

"I think there's probably a piece of every manager that I played for within me but, specific to Boston, being able to stand next to [Terry Francona] for four years had probably made the biggest impact," Farrell said. "Understanding how important it is to deal with the media, to protect your players when need be and to deal with things one-on-one behind closed doors rather than making a spectacle, that's what works best here."

Farrell was Francona's pitching coach from 2007-2010, playing an integral role in the 2007 team that won it all against the Colorado Rockies. Farrell said that he and Francona have been exchanging text messages throughout this World Series, leading up to the team's 6-1 win Wednesday to close out the St. Louis Cardinals.

"Tito's got a part in this one tonight. There's no doubt about it," Farrell said. "He reached out, said he was pulling for me, pulling for us, and we know that he was with us in some small way. He shares in this one as well."

Francona managed the Red Sox from 2004 to 2011, guiding the team to two titles during his tenure, in 2004 and 2007.