Alex Cora, the Boston Red Sox manager played for the team in his active days as a baseball player and knows what it takes to be successful, so he was named the team’s manager on October 22, 2017.
With a pretty impressive resume – one year experience as a Major League coach, four years (2013-2016) as a baseball analyst for ESPN and ESPN Deportes, general manager of the Puerto Rico national baseball team and MLB outfielder for 11 seasons, Alex Cora certainly has what it takes to lead the team to a commendable height.
Who is Alex Cora?
He was born on October 18, 1975 in Caguas, Puerto Rico as José Alexander Cora. He represented his country at the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic (WBC) during his playing career. Alex was general manager of the Criollos de Caguas in the Puerto Rico Winter League for five winters and doubled as manager in two of them (2014-16). He was also general manager of the Puerto Rico team that finished second to the United States in the WBC.
Alex Cora is married to Nilda and they share four children including their 2017 born twin sons, Xander Gabriel and Isander Manuel. The others are their daughter, Camila Cora, and Nilda’s son from a previous relationship, Jeriel Cora.
6 things to know about the Boston Red Sox Manager
1. He chose to go to college than play professional baseball.
Although it’s the dream of most high school baseball players to turn pro early in their career, probably before college, Alex Cora decided to go to college instead. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 12th round of the 1993 MLB Draft, but did not reach a deal with them.
He would begin a collegiate career at the University of Miami. Being a standout player from his high school days, he kept improving his skills and excelling in the game. He was a World Series All-Tournament All-Star Team for two years consecutive 1995 and 1996. Alex had a successful and impressive college career that hasn’t failed to meet the eyes of fans, teams and the media. Nearing the end of his college years and looking for projects, he was ranked by Baseball America as the best college defensive player before the 1996 draft.
No wonder he was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame years later in recognition of his extraordinary contributions and accomplishments with the Hurricanes.
2. Alex Cora – MLB Career
Alex Cora was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round of the 1996 draft and made his MLB debut on June 7, 1998, after a stellar Minor League career. He spent more than half of his MLB career with the Dodgers from 1998 to 2004 and appeared in 684 games. After his Dodgers career, he joined the Cleveland Indians as a free agent in 2005, after which he was traded to the Boston Red Sox for infielder Ramón Vázquez the same year.
He spent four seasons with the Red Sox and while with them he was part of their team that won the 2007 World Series. Among other teams, he played for the New York Mets from 2009 to 2010, Texas Rangers with a minor league contract where he played for their farm team Oklahoma City and then for the Rangers in four games. Although he only spent a short time with the Rangers in 2010, appearing in just 6 games, they rewarded him with an AL Championship ring.
His last MLB appearance was with the Washington Nationals on September 28, 2011, who signed him to a minor league contract in January 2011. During his league career, he played in 1,273 games over 14 seasons.
3. He appeared in his MLB debut against his brother
Even before the Red Sox manager was in the big league, there was another Cora already in the fields. His older brother, Joey seemed to have constantly paved the way for him. Joey played college baseball at Vanderbilt University and MLB for 11 seasons, appearing in 1,119 games. He has coached third base for the Pittsburgh Pirates since 2017 and is very successful in his own right.
However, the 1998 game between the Dodgers and the Seattle Mariners, which was his (Alex’s) big league debut, saw the two players go head to head in a bid to win for their respective teams. Joey was Seattle’s second baseman in the game.
Despite this, Alex refers to him as his inspiration, saying his height and position in the big league arena probably wouldn’t have come about without his brother’s influence and guidance.
4. Alex Cora had his first career MLB ejection as a coach
Prior to taking on the Red Sox managerial role, he coached the Houston Astros team in 2016 and took on managerial duties during the 2017 season. He took on the role three times after manager of Astros, AJ Hinch was ejected.
In a game against the Los Angeles Angels on August 25, 2017, he was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Laz Díaz after arguing that the baseball was too dirty and should be taken out of play.
5. He is the 47th manager in Red Sox history.
Alex Cora was a former Red Sox player and recently joined the host of other former players turned managers. He interviewed for the open managerial position at the 2017 ALCS and was later named manager, signing a three-year managerial contract for the 2018-2020 seasons, with an option for 2021 in October 2017.
He officially assumed his role as the 47th manager and the 22nd former Red Sox player to lead the club on November 2, 2017, following the World Series. Alex Cora replaced former manager, John Farell.
6. Alex Cora is open to changes in his new office
The Red Sox manager who is among others admired for his integrity and diligence in the field as well as in his personal life is open to changes in the management of his team. He established with them this relationship that one can only envy. They trust him to do what he says and say what he will do. While it’s clear he won’t tolerate an inappropriate approach to his players’ work, he’s ready to forge a bond that will reflect who he is and would certainly help harness talent for peak productivity.
Whether it’s taking certain players to lunch or dinner, talking about their life off the pitch or giving them time to rest, Alex has shown that for him being a manager is not just a job but a bond.
