Boston Red Sox
Cora firmly and unequivocally established himself as one of the best managers in franchise history.
Alex Cora posted a record of 619-541 with the Red Sox. Charles Krupa/AP Photo
This was already one of the most eventful weeks in Boston sports history.
With the Boston Marathon, Mike Vrabel scandal, Celtics and Bruins playoffs, Red Sox-Yankees, and NFL Draft, there has been no shortage of action around these parts.
Then, just as the NFL Draft concluded Saturday night, news broke that the Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora and five other members of the staff. Even amid a dreadful 10-17 start, with the season rapidly drifting toward oblivion, no one saw this one coming. At least not yet. Maybe if they sputtered to a 70-win season. But in April? Bonkers.
To be clear, Cora firmly and unequivocally established himself as one of the best managers in franchise history. He has accumulated more than 600 wins, won a World Series in 2018, and is widely regarded as one of the most shrewd tacticians in the sport.
He has an excellent track record of making the right moves at the right times and bringing out the best in his players. Cora’s even-keeled demeanor is contagious, and he sees the game through a unique lens that gives his teams a clear-cut advantage.
He closed nearly every press conference with a calm and friendly, “We good?” A creature of habit who loves the rhythm of the game and all it entails, he found peace and comfort in the daily grind.
“Alex Cora led this organization to one of the greatest seasons in Red Sox history in 2018, and for that, and the many years that followed, he will always have our deepest gratitude,” Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry said in a statement. “He has had a lasting impact on this team and on this city. He has led on and off the field in so many important ways. These decisions are never easy, but this one is especially difficult given what Alex has meant to the Red Sox since the day he arrived.”
The Red Sox made a different type of statement by firing him just 27 games into the season. Accused by many of not taking winning as seriously as they used to, this shows that the Red Sox aren’t OK with being mediocre – or, in this case, worse.
They shouldn’t throw a parade for ownership just yet. Fans have every right to be disgruntled and criticize what is clearly a flawed roster. The offseason acquisitions have been underwhelming, the bullpen is fragile, and the lineup leaves a lot to be desired. While the team is underachieving, the Red Sox were never going to come close to winning a pennant the way the team is currently constructed.
At the same time, perhaps this change will provide a jolt to a struggling group in need of a spark. It likely won’t happen instantaneously, and it may require a year or two of growing pains, but this was a step in the right direction.
It gives former Worcester Red Sox manager Chad Tracy an opportunity as the interim manager. He can inject some life into the group and remind them that it’s a long season. Tracy, 40, has put in his time with the Angels and played in the league like Cora.
He enters a low-pressure situation, where no one will blame him if the ship continues to sink and people will praise him if the Red Sox turn it around.
Full list of Red Sox firings:
Manager Alex Cora
Hitting coach Peter Fatse
Bench coach Rámon Vazquez
Assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson
Third-base coach Kyle Hudson
Hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin
Game-planning coach Jason Varitek will be reassigned to new role.
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) April 25, 2026
While the roster is far from perfect, there are some foundational pieces to build around moving forward – Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony, Connelly Early, and Payton Tolle at the top of the list.
Patience isn’t the strong suit of Boston sports fans, but exhibiting patience with this group may be wise. This was a sign that ownership sees you, hears you, and cares about you.
Cora will land on his feet and find another job soon. He deserves a standing ovation when he returns to Boston, but sometimes a fresh start can benefit all parties.
Next time a lefty comes on in relief, a steal shifts the momentum, or a sacrifice bunt decides a game, think of Cora. He loved mastering the mundane. He did his job extremely well and should be thanked. Now, it’s Tracy’s turn.
It’s time to accept that the present isn’t acceptable and work toward fortifying the future. This is a painful yet necessary step toward doing exactly that.
Trevor Hass is a sports producer for Boston.com, where he writes and edits stories about Boston’s professional teams, among other tasks.
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