Alex Cora
Puerto Rican manager who led the Red Sox to a 2018 World Series title.
Jose Alexander Cora, born October 18, 1975, is a Puerto Rican former MLB infielder and manager, most recently with the Boston Red Sox. He became the fifth manager to win the World Series in his debut season and the first Puerto Rican to manage a championship team, leading Boston to the 2018 title.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Shortstop
- Second baseman
- Manager
- Born
- 18 October 1975
- Birthplace
- Caguas, Puerto Rico
- Bats
- Left
- Throws
- Right
- Debut league
- MLB
- Debut date
- June 7
- Debut year
- 1998
Facts from the source article.
Playing career
Cora was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 12th round of the 1993 MLB draft but did not sign, instead playing collegiate baseball at the University of Miami. He was named to the College World Series all-tournament team in 1995 and 1996, and his team lost the 1996 title game to Louisiana State University. Going into the 1996 draft, Baseball America rated Cora the best collegiate defensive player. The Los Angeles Dodgers chose him in the third round, and he played 61 games for the Class A-Advanced Vero Beach Dodgers that season, batting .257 with no home runs and 26 RBIs. In 1997, with the Double-A San Antonio Missions, he appeared in 127 games and batted .234 with 3 home runs and 48 RBIs. Cora spent parts of 1998, 1999, and 2000 with the Triple-A Albuquerque Dukes, hitting .264, .308, and .373 in 81, 80, and 30 games respectively. He made his MLB debut on June 7, 1998, for the Dodgers against the Seattle Mariners; his brother Joey Cora was Seattle's starting second baseman. Over seven years with Los Angeles, Cora played 684 games, batting .246 with 27 home runs and 173 RBI, primarily at second base and shortstop. He played in the 2004 NLDS, which the Dodgers lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, going 2-for-15. On May 12, 2004, he set a Dodgers record for longest at-bat, fouling off 18 pitches before hitting a home run off Matt Clement. Cora signed with the Cleveland Indians as a free agent on January 18, 2005, appearing in 49 games and batting .205 with one home run and 8 RBI. On July 7, 2005, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox for infielder Ramón Vázquez.
Coaching and managerial career
Cora became the bench coach for the Houston Astros on November 15, 2016. During the 2017 season, he assumed managerial duties on three occasions after Astros manager A. J. Hinch was ejected. On August 25, 2017, Cora was ejected for the first time in his MLB career by home plate umpire Laz Díaz after arguing that a baseball had too much dirt on it. The 2017 Astros finished 101–61 and won the World Series in seven games. During the 2017 ALCS, Cora interviewed for the Boston Red Sox managerial opening. On October 22, 2017, the day after the Astros defeated the New York Yankees in the ALCS, the Red Sox announced a three-year managerial contract for Cora covering 2018 through 2020, with a 2021 option. He formally assumed the role on November 2, 2017. On August 3, 2018, Cora was ejected for the first time as a manager by home plate umpire Adam Hamari for arguing warnings issued by crew chief Phil Cuzzi. The 2018 Red Sox finished 108–54. In the ALDS, they eliminated the Yankees three games to one. Cora received his first postseason ejection on October 13, 2018, in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Astros, ejected by home plate umpire James Hoye for arguing balls and strikes. On October 18, his 43rd birthday, the Red Sox defeated the Astros 4–1 to win the ALCS in five games, then beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series in five games. Cora became the fifth rookie manager to win a World Series, joining Bob Brenly, Ralph Houk, Eddie Dyer, and Bucky Harris. He finished second in AL Manager of the Year voting to Bob Melvin. On November 14, 2018, the Red Sox renegotiated Cora's contract, extending it through 2021 with a club option for 2022.
Personal life
When the season ends, Alex Cora returns home to Caguas, Puerto Rico, where he lives with his four children. Two of them are twins who were born during the 2017 season. His older brother, Joey Cora, spent years as a utility player in the majors and now coaches third base for the Detroit Tigers. Cora entered the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. From early 2013 through late 2016, he served as a baseball color analyst for ESPN and ESPN Deportes. After winning the 2018 World Series, he brought the trophy to Caguas on November 3, 2018. He also helped with relief efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria in 2017.
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