Following the news of the suspension and subsequent firing of A.J. Hinch and Jeff Luhnow by the Astros, it was only inevitable that Red Sox manager Alex Cora was going to land in the crosshairs. And now it has happened.
Red Sox Ownership and Cora announced today that they have agreed to part ways following the accusations that the Red Sox used technology to steal signs under Cora’s watch in 2018 during their World Series run.
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Statement from the Boston #RedSox and Alex Cora: pic.twitter.com/qXsUhSobSy
— Red Sox (@RedSox) January 15, 2020
“I want to thank John, Tom, Sam, the players, our coaching staff and the entire Red Sox organization,” Cora said in a statement issued by the Red Sox. “I especially want to thank my family for their love and support. We agreed today that parting ways was the best thing for the organization.”
Of course, Cora, as bench coach of the Astros in 2017, was instrumental in developing their sign relay system and was named several times in Major League Baseball’s investigation into the matter. Cora could have been open to discipline just in his involvement in the Astros’ situation, however, given his participation in the Red Sox alleged acts, he was undoubtedly going to be disciplined. The question was for how long?
Apparently, the Red Sox were not willing to wait. Especially since they could probably surmise what a suspension would look like after what was issued to Hinch and Luhnow. A one-year ban was likely the starting point. Common sense says it would be worse. A lot worse. We will all wait for that shoe to drop along with the rest of the investigation into the Red Sox which is currently ongoing.
So now the Red Sox will be looking for their third manager in four seasons. Cora replaced John Farrell following the 2017 season in which he won a World Series with the Astros. In his first season as manager of the Red Sox (the season in question), Cora led the team to a franchise-best record of 108-54 and their fourth World Series title since 2004. Last season, the Red Sox fell to 84-78 and failed to qualify for the postseason which, as it turns out, was Cora’s last as skipper.
– Ian Glendon is the Editor-In-Chief of Full Press Coverage and the Managing Editor of FPC NHL. He covers the National Hockey League. Like and follow on Follow @iglen31 Follow @FPC_NHL and Facebook.
