BRONX, NY — In a stunning move that has shocked much of the baseball world because of how early it comes in the season, the Boston Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora on Saturday, despite the club coming off a 17-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
The dismissal is particularly surprising given that the season is still in its opening weeks.
Boston currently holds a 10-17 record and sits in last place in the American League East, but few expected the organization to make such a drastic change this early in the year.
The Red Sox fired Alex Cora along with multiple coaches on the staff Saturday after Boston’s win against the Orioles – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Chad Tracy, a coach for the Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate, will serve as the interim manager, the franchise confirmed.
Cora shared his reaction in a text message to Puerto Rican daily El Nuevo Día. Despite the sudden and unexpected decision, the Puerto Rican skipper appeared calm and composed.
“All good. Very relaxed,” he wrote in a text message to the newspaper.
Cora becomes one of the earliest managerial dismissals in recent Major League Baseball history. The first comparable case was when Bryan Price was fired by the Cincinnati Reds just 18 games into the 2018 season.
Alex Cora led the Red Sox to winning the 2018 World Series title and was under contract with Boston through 2027 following a contract extension during July of 2024 – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
“Alex Cora led this organization to one of the greatest seasons in Red Sox history in 2018, and for that—and for the many years that followed—he will always have our deepest gratitude,” said John Henry in a statement released by the organization.
“He has had a lasting impact on this team and on this city. He has led both 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,” he added.
Cora was under contract with the Red Sox through 2027.
In July 2024, he agreed to a guaranteed three-year, $21 million extension.
With one of the best skippers in the game available, it will be interesting to see what unfolds across MLB in the next coming weeks/months if a managerial role were to become open – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Also dismissed alongside Cora was fellow Puerto Rican Ramón Vázquez, who served as the club’s bench coach. Others fired included hitting coach Peter Fatse and assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson, third base coach Kyle Hudson, and hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin, the club announced Saturday.
Puerto Rican first base coach José David Flores remains on the coaching staff.
Cora was in his eighth season managing the Red Sox and compiled a 619-541 record with the franchise. He guided Boston to a World Series championship in 2018 after leading the club to 108 regular-season victories.
In 2021, the Red Sox also reached the postseason after posting a 92-70 record under his leadership and appeared in the playoffs last year, losing in the Wild Card round to the Yankees after going 89-73 during the 2025 regular season.
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