The Boston Red Sox have fired manager Alex Cora and five members of his coaching staff, the team announced Saturday, despite a 17-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles that snapped a four-game losing streak. The Red Sox (10-17) are mired in last place in the American League East, prompting the drastic move.
Cora's Tenure and Achievements
Cora, who played infield for the Red Sox 2007 World Series championship team, managed Boston to a franchise-record 108 wins and a World Series title in 2018. He was dismissed after a 620-541 record over parts of seven seasons. Owner John Henry expressed gratitude, stating, "Alex Cora led this organization to one of the greatest seasons in Red Sox history in 2018."
Coaching Staff Changes
In addition to Cora, the Red Sox parted ways with hitting coach Peter Fatse, third base coach Kyle Hudson, bench coach Ramón Vázquez, assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson, and major league hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin. Jason Varitek, the former Red Sox captain and catcher, was reassigned to an unspecified role.
Interim Manager Chad Tracy
Chad Tracy, 40, was named interim manager. Tracy had been managing Boston's Triple-A Worcester affiliate, where he posted a 323-295 record and led the team to winning seasons in each of his first four years. He is the son of former major league manager Jim Tracy. A catcher at Pepperdine, Tracy was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2006 but never reached the majors.
Historic Context
According to Sportradar, Cora is the first manager to be fired after winning a game by 16 or more runs since 1887, when Bob Ferguson was dismissed after an 18-2 win. The Red Sox have struggled since their 2018 championship, with key players like Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, and Chris Sale departing. Rafael Devers was traded after balking at a position change.
The Red Sox are last in the AL East, and Cora is the first major league manager fired this season. The team hopes Tracy can turn around the struggling franchise.
