Alex Cora Will Return to the Red Sox

Sunday, October 22, 2017

It’s official: Alex Cora will be the 47th manager of the Boston Red Sox. The news comes only hours after the Houston Astros defeated the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the ALCS. Cora, a former utility infielder and member of the 2007 championship team turned Astros bench coast will head east after Houston faces Los Angeles in the World Series. The Red Sox will give him a 3-year contract through 2020 with a club option for the 2021 season. A press conference will take place at Fenway after the World Series.

MLB’s official Spanish account @LasMayores inadvertently (or was it) leaked the news earlier this week in a now-deleted tweet congratulating the Puerto Rican-born Cora, who will be the first Hispanic manager in Red Sox history. Cora had been highly sought-after, interviewing for three of the five open MLB manager positions, including the Sox and Mets. He interviewed for the position alongside former skippers Ausmus and Gardenhire of the Tigers and Twins. Though Cora was the only candidate who didn’t fit Dombrowski’s “Previous Managerial Experience” requirement, he did participate in the MLB’s diversity pipeline program, which helps groom and promote minority candidates for field and front office jobs.

Though the Red Sox’s last few seasons have been a bit of a mixed bag, Cora does have rather large shoes to fill. Two of the last three managers have led the team to postseasons and World Series championships. Between Francona and Farrell, the Red Sox had 4 division titles, 3 AL pennants, and 3 World Series wins. Farrell’s clubhouse got kicked out of the postseason in back-to-back ALDS’, so Dombrowski & Co. will be looking to their new manager to get at least a step farther.

Of course, we won’t know exactly what Cora will be working with until later in the winter, as DD is sure to make at least a few changes to the roster during the off-season. David Ortiz’s absence in the clubhouse and lineup loomed as large as Big Papi himself, and the Red Sox finished an embarrassing 27th in the Major Leagues in home runs this season. The lackluster, lifeless quality this year’s team took on will need some serious work, and it looks like the Red Sox are hoping a vital young manager will be able to provide the much-needed inspiration and motivation that Farrell couldn’t.

Shoutout to the Detroit Tigers for saving us from Dombrowski choosing Gardenhire; enjoy Old Man Winter!

Welcome back, Alex!

The Astros and Dodgers World Series begins Tuesday here in Los Angeles.