BOSTON -- Their legendary statuses are linked in Boston lore. Terry Francona is the manager who ended 86 years of cursed baseball. David Ortiz is the iconic slugger who was at the center of that first band of self-proclaimed idiots, who made history in 2004.

Now, 12 years later, it is Francona’s Cleveland Indians who have ended Big Papi’s career and the Red Sox's postseason. Make no mistake, it was as much Francona as any player with a “Chief Wahoo” on his hat who finished off Ortiz on Monday night.

Francona’s front office gave him a weapon in late July named Andrew Miller, a 6-foot-7 left-hander who may be the game’s best reliever, and Francona is using him to saw games in half, calling on Miller in the middle innings. It is apparent that Cleveland plans to ride Miller to the end of October.

In sweeping the Red Sox, Francona managed aggressively with Miller and his closer, Cody Allen. In Game 3, a 4-3 Indians victory, Miller took care of the sixth and seventh innings, while Allen worked the final four outs. In the series, the Red Sox made 81 outs, with Miller and Allen recording 23 -- nearly a full game's worth. Throw in ace Corey Kluber’s 21 outs in Game 2 and you see how Francona skillfully leveraged his best arms.

On Monday, Ortiz was in the middle of the drama, but, by little fault of his own, could not give the fans the dramatic moment they craved. In the sixth, with the Red Sox down three runs and Miller on the mound, Ortiz strode to the plate. It was “get your popcorn” time.

The crowd chanted “Pa-pi! Pa-pi! Papi!” So many times that plea has ended in solid contact. It did again Monday as Ortiz hit a slider on the screws, a hard liner to center that Rajai Davis leaned down to catch. A run crossed, but the Red Sox’s rally was halted after Miller struck out Hanley Ramirez to end the inning.

Big Papi would come up again in the eighth, with the tying run at first. Francona would not trust setup man Bryan Shaw with the responsibility. He turned to Allen, who passed on the confrontation, walking Ortiz on four pitches.

“I’m glad he didn’t get a hit to beat us,” Francona said.

After Ortiz walked, Ramirez rifled an RBI single. The Red Sox were down by a single run, but with slow-footed Ortiz now on second base, manager John Farrell had to lift him for a pinch runner. The crowd chanted “Pa-pi” once more, fearing it was the end.

Next, Xander Bogaerts crushed a liner, but right at second baseman Jason Kipnis. Bogaerts slammed his bat to the dirt.

The Red Sox again threatened in the ninth, with Jackie Bradley Jr. and Dustin Pedroia both reaching with two outs. But Allen, who threw 40 pitches for the second time in the series, got Travis Shaw to hit a weak fly ball to right field that Lonnie Chisenhall squeezed for the final out.

That is how Ortiz’s legendary career ended. Francona outmaneuvered the Red Sox. Francona was there for the real beginning of Big Papi in ’04, and the manager saw to the end of it all in ‘16.

“I thought it was an honor to be on the field competing against him in his last game," Francona said. "He’s truly one of the best."

Ortiz entered the field one final time. Francona and the Indians had exited to continue their party in the clubhouse. Ortiz stood on the mound as the fans said a final thank you. Tasting victory with his team, Francona took time to appreciate Ortiz's moment.

"He deserves every bit of that,” Francona said.