Alex Cora
Jose Alexander Cora[1] (born October 18, 1975) is a Puerto Rican baseball manager and former infielder who is the manager of the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for 14 seasons with the Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, and Washington Nationals. After retiring as a player, Cora served as the bench coach for the Houston Astros when they won their first World Series title in 2017. Cora was named Boston's manager the following season, winning a franchise-best 108 games and leading the team to victory in the 2018 World Series. He is the fifth MLB manager to win the World Series in his first season and the first Puerto Rican manager of a World Series-winning team.[2]
Alex Cora
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Following the 2019 season, Cora was implicated in a sign-stealing scandal during his time with Astros.[3] Amid an investigation to determine if he took part in another sign-stealing scandal with the Red Sox,[4] Cora and the Red Sox mutually agreed to part ways before the 2020 season.[5] Cora was subsequently suspended through the 2020 playoffs for his role in the Astros' scandal.[6] After his suspension ended, he returned to the Red Sox as their manager.[7]
Playing career[edit]
Early career[edit]
Cora was drafted in the 12th round of the 1993 Major League Baseball draft by the Minnesota Twins, but did not sign a contract and decided instead to play collegiate baseball at the University of Miami. While there, Cora was named to the College World Series all-tournament team in both 1995 and 1996. He led the team to the title game in 1996, a game they lost to Louisiana State University.
Cora was rated by Baseball America as the best collegiate defensive player going into the 1996 draft. Cora was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round, and played 61 games of the 1996 season with the Class A-Advanced Vero Beach Dodgers, batting .257 with no home runs and 26 RBIs. He played the 1997 season with the Double-A San Antonio Missions; in 127 games he batted .234 with 3 home runs and 48 RBIs. Cora spent parts of the 1998, 1999, and 2000 seasons with the Triple-A Albuquerque Dukes, hitting .264 in 81 games, .308 in 80 games, and .373 in 30 games, respectively.
Coaching and managing career[edit]
Houston Astros bench coach[edit]
On November 15, 2016, Cora became the bench coach for the Houston Astros.[32] Cora assumed managerial duties on three occasions during the 2017 season, following ejections of Astros manager A. J. Hinch.[33][34][35][36]
On August 25, 2017, Cora was ejected from a game against the Los Angeles Angels by home plate umpire Laz Díaz.[37] Cora argued that the baseball had too much dirt on it and should be removed from play; it was Cora's first career MLB ejection.[38]
The 2017 Astros finished with a record of 101–61 and went on to win in Game 7 of the World Series,[39] Cora played an important role in shaping the Astros' modern day dynasty.
Boston Red Sox manager[edit]
During the 2017 ALCS, Cora interviewed for the open managerial position of the Boston Red Sox.[40] It was subsequently reported that Cora would be named as Red Sox manager.[41][42] On October 22, the day after the Astros defeated the New York Yankees in the 2017 ALCS, the Red Sox announced a three-year managerial contract for Cora, for the 2018 through 2020 seasons, with an option for 2021.[43]
Cora formally assumed the role on November 2, 2017, following the World Series. On August 3, 2018, Cora was ejected for the first time as a manager by home plate umpire Adam Hamari for arguing warnings being issued to both benches by first base umpire and crew chief Phil Cuzzi in a game against the Yankees.[44] Cora and the 2018 Red Sox finished with 108 wins and 54 losses.[45]
In the American League Division Series, the Red Sox eliminated the New York Yankees, three games to one,[46] and advanced to the American League Championship Series.[46] Cora received his first postseason ejection on October 13, in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros. He was ejected by home plate umpire James Hoye between the fifth and sixth innings for arguing balls and strikes.[47] On October 18, Cora's 43rd birthday, the Red Sox defeated the Astros, 4–1, to win the ALCS in five games.[48] The Red Sox then defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series in five games to give Cora his first championship as a manager and third overall.[49] Cora became the fifth rookie manager to win a World Series, the others being Bob Brenly in 2001, Ralph Houk in 1961, Eddie Dyer in 1946, Bucky Harris in 1924.[50] In voting for the AL Manager of the Year Award, Cora finished second to Bob Melvin of the Oakland Athletics.[51]
On November 14, 2018, the Red Sox announced that they had renegotiated Cora's contract, including an extension through the 2021 season, with a club option for 2022.[52]
Electronic sign stealing[edit]
On November 13, 2019, it was reported that Cora, along with former Astros player Carlos Beltrán, played a key role in the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal during their time with the team, which included Houston's 2017 championship season.[3] Cora was interviewed during MLB's investigation of the Astros, with the Red Sox offering their "full cooperation".[53] On January 7, 2020, The Athletic published a report alleging that the 2018 Red Sox broke MLB rules by using a video replay room during regular season games to decipher the signs of opposing catchers, according to three unnamed sources who were with the team that year.[54] On January 13, MLB's findings regarding Houston's sign stealing were announced, including that Cora "was the only non-player involved in the subterfuge."[55] However, commissioner Rob Manfred deferred any discipline for Cora until the conclusion of the separate investigation into the 2018 Red Sox. This raised the possibility that Cora could face significant discipline from MLB, possibly as lengthy as the one-year suspension meted out to Astros manager A. J. Hinch.[56]
The following day, Cora and the Red Sox mutually agreed to part ways. According to a joint statement issued by majority owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner and president Sam Kennedy, all parties involved concluded that given the nature of the findings, Cora could not effectively lead the team. Cora issued a statement of his own saying that he "did not want to be a distraction" to the team.[57][58]
On April 22, 2020, commissioner Rob Manfred issued findings from MLB's investigation about electronic sign-stealing by the 2018 Red Sox. The findings focused on the actions of the team's replay operator, who as a result was suspended for the 2020 season (including postseason) and the team forfeited their second-round selection in the 2020 MLB draft. About Cora, Manfred stated:[6]