The Boston Red Sox, currently tied for the second-worst record in the American League, fired manager Alex Cora on Saturday evening. Five other coaching staff members, including hitting coach Peter Fatse, were also dismissed. The sudden purge came just hours after a seemingly cathartic 17-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
Cora, a polarizing figure who joined Boston as skipper in 2017, saw his tenure begin with a bang in 2018, leading the team to a franchise-record 108 wins and a World Series title. That success gave him unusual influence over baseball operations, often surpassing that of his executives. However, recent struggles, including a sweep by the New York Yankees and only one playoff series win since 2018, sealed his fate.
Principal owner John Henry praised Cora's impact on the team and city, noting the difficulty of the decision. Triple-A manager Chad Tracy will serve as interim manager. Cora's firing marks a stunning end for a manager once considered untouchable, with his power and results ultimately not enough to save his job.