Morning Sports Update
“You know, anytime something like that happens, it kind of sends waves throughout the baseball world.”
Chris Sale prior to a game against the Dodgers in May. AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh
May 28, 2026 | 10:29 AM
3 minutes to read
Chris Sale’s take on Alex Cora: As one of the prominent members of the 2018 World Series champion Red Sox, Chris Sale had a better vantage point than most to observe former Boston manager Alex Cora.
Given the recent Red Sox decision to fire Cora along with multiple members of his coaching staff, Sale acknowledged in a recent interview with WEEI’s Rob Bradford that he was stunned.
“I think I was probably just as shocked as everybody was,” Sale told Bradford. “You know, anytime something like that happens, it kind of sends waves throughout the baseball world. So, yeah, I would definitely say it shocked me.”
Sale, who won 46 games and posted a 3.27 ERA in six seasons with the Red Sox, explained why Cora was so effective.
“I’ve said this, it doesn’t matter how old you are, or where you’re from. You can be from Japan, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mississippi, Washington, Florida, whatever. He will find a way to connect with you,” Sale said of his former manager. “It’s my third year here in Atlanta, and even over the last three years, I have talked to him as much as anybody. Through the offseason, he will shoot me a text or after a game or something like that.
“He does a really good job of connecting with each individual person, no matter who they are, or where they are from,” Sale concluded.
Since being traded by the Red Sox to the Braves, Sale has returned to his earlier level of dominance. In three seasons with Atlanta, he’s notched a 2.36 ERA and won the National League Cy Young Award in 2024.
Trivia: Chris Sale was 35 years old when he won the Cy Young Award in 2024. Who is the oldest pitcher to ever win the award?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: Red Sox first-round pick in 1983.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox defeated the Braves 8-0 on Wednesday. The two teams will play again this afternoon at Fenway Park at 4:10 p.m.
This Saturday, Boston Legacy FC will travel to Kansas City to play the Current at 1:30 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
American soccer heritage: Reflecting on one of the great what-ifs of the 1994 World Cup, via Marcelo Balbao’s (nearly) perfect bicycle kick against Colombia. The center-back would later show that his penchant for bikes was no fluke, winning MLS Goal of the Year in 2000 for a similar effort.
The greatest miss in @USMNT FIFA World Cup history ⁉️ pic.twitter.com/dnhvLbkzZZ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 27, 2026
On this day: In 2021, the Celtics got a playoff win in an otherwise forgettable series loss against the Nets. Jayson Tatum dropped 50 points to overcome 39 from Kevin Durant and 41 from James Harden in a 125-119 Boston win.
Daily highlight: Novak Djokovic eventually defeated Valentin Royer in four sets at the French Open on Wednesday thanks partly to this around-the-net winner.
AROUND THE NET FROM NOVAK 🤯#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/2p9m1hv7lz
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2026
Trivia answer: Roger Clemens
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
