The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Familiar face back at the helm for Red Sox
Alex Cora’s second tenure as Red Sox manager started in full Thursday morning.
Introductory press conferences and media appearances aside, this is why he was brought back. Boston pitchers and catchers reported for their first official workouts at JetBlue Park, looking to leave what was a miserable 2020 season firmly in their rearview mirror.
Cora looked on in forced exile from his Puerto Rico home as the Red Sox dropped to the American League East basement. His season-long suspension for his role in electronic sign stealing with the Astros in 2017 cost him a job he loved dearly. This second chance carries with it certain levels of contrition, acceptance and anticipation.
“I’ll say it again — I was out of the game for the wrong reasons, and deservedly so,” Cora said. “But moving forward, I’m not going to hide it. It was an outstanding day on a personal level.”
Cora’s seemingly innate ability to connect with his players meshed perfectly with a talented roster in his 2018 debut. Boston was a juggernaut while rolling to its fourth World Series title this century and seemed likely to rebound from what was a tepid 84-78 encore in 2019. Cora and the Red Sox mutually parted ways a few short months later, as Major League Baseball imposed its discipline.
“I think having him back is a key part to this whole thing moving forward more smoothly, faster and as a unit,” Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale said. “It’s going to be better. I think everybody is excited about that.”
Cora is aware he won’t be embraced in all corners of the baseball world. But all that really matters to him at this point is how he’s perceived by his family and in the Boston clubhouse. Those would seem to be the same generally favorable audiences he enjoyed through his first two years with the Red Sox.