FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) – The clean dugout floor showed that Terry Francona had overcome one of his offseason challenges – give up chewing tobacco and the dark puddles it leaves at his feet.

There weren’t many other obstacles for Boston’s manager, not even keeping players who ended the Red Sox 86-year championship drought from becoming complacent.

“The thing that surprised me is how many times I got asked if our guys were going to be hungry or not,” Francona said. “People that asked that question, I don’t think have been around our guys.”

Their offbeat image belies the determination that led them to overcome a 3-0 deficit and beat the New York Yankees in the AL championship series, then sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.

Johnny Damon still has long hair. He plans to sign copies of his new book and appear on Letterman Monday – an off day after Sunday’s season opener at Yankee Stadium.

“They play their game,” Francona said on his last day in camp Thursday. “If they want to do television, what’s the difference? It really doesn’t matter. It doesn’t take away from your at bats.”

As long as they work hard, he lets his players maintain their image of a loose, fun-loving group. There was one image that Francona wasn’t happy with. His own. So he quit chewing tobacco.

“It’s not a good image. It’s a bad habit,” he said. “And, on top of that, I know I’m like the ugliest chewer in the league. It’s not like I hid it very well.”

The Red Sox have done a good job leaving last season and the championship behind. They rarely talked about it during spring training and – once they receive their World Series rings April 11 before the home opener against the Yankees – the focus will be on the future.

In his second year as Boston’s manager, Francona is more comfortable because he and his players know each other better. He’s confident he can make good decisions and said second-guessing by fans didn’t affect him.

“I do what I think is right every day,” he said. “I turn the TV on and I hear, we’re going to talk to the experts.’ You know what? We’re the experts. I’m not trying to be egotistical, but we spend a lot of time doing this.”

He did it until last Oct. 27 when the Red Sox completed their World Series sweep. Since then, they lost starters Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe to free agency and added David Wells, Matt Clement and Wade Miller to their rotation.

Boston re-signed catcher Jason Varitek and named him captain and added free-agent shortstop Edgar Renteria. Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz remain in the third and fourth spots of a powerful lineup.

“Pitching is very important. We let two aces go. We’ll see how things go,” Ortiz said. “We have the addition of Edgar, which is really good. I think our hitting is going to be there.”

Last year, the Red Sox chose not to sign potential free agents Martinez, Lowe, Varitek and Nomar Garciaparra in spring training. After this season, Damon, Kevin Millar, Bill Mueller, Mark Bellhorn, Alan Embree and Mike Timlin can become free agents. Signing them now would tie up money that could be used on other teams’ free agents after the season.

“It’s not a lack of loyalty. It’s just trying to be the best team we can be,” Francona said.

Boston improved its bullpen by signing free agent Matt Mantei and still has closer Keith Foulke, who finished all four World Series games and never had an ERA higher than 2.97 in the last six years.

“I don’t know how a guy that good could be underrated but I think he is,” Francona said, perhaps because he doesn’t throw at 95 mph. “He’s got a little different repertoire, but he makes people miss.”

Wells was picked to start the opener because Curt Schilling isn’t expected to be ready until mid-April after undergoing ankle surgery last November.

“They’re looking for big things out of everybody,” Wells said. “It’s tough to repeat, but I can’t worry about what (people) think. I can’t put that kind of pressure on myself. I’ve got to go out there and do what I’ve been doing for 18 years and just be consistent.”

In last year’s opener, the Red Sox lost 7-2 in Baltimore and Martinez was the loser. In their final game, they won the World Series.

“You don’t just prepare for opening day,” Francona said, “you prepare for the grind of the season, but I think we’re doing all right.”