Sports

Alex Cora Reflects on Red Sox Firing and Life After Baseball

By Rob Bradford

Alex Cora has spoken publicly for the first time since his dismissal from the Boston Red Sox on April 25, 2026. In an interview on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast, the 51‑year‑old manager discussed the events that led to his firing, his recent marathon run, and his plans moving forward.

Cora, who had been named the Red Sox’s most highly paid manager in July 2024, described the abrupt end to his tenure as a shock. He recalled a team meeting the Friday before the firing, where he was told the organization needed to “pick it up” and prepare for the future. The next day, after a 17‑1 win over the Orioles, he received a text from chief baseball officer Craig Breslow that he was meeting with team president Sam Kennedy and owner John Henry. Cora said he knew immediately that he would be fired.

He expressed particular frustration that the firing also included the dismissal of several coaches—Pete Fatse, Dillon Lawson, Joe Cronin, Ramon Vazquez, and Kyle Hudson—as well as the reassignment of Jason Varitek. Cora said the loss of the coaching staff was a “shoot” that upset him because it removed a key part of the team’s structure.

Cora explained that the decision was largely based on the team’s pitching performance. The Red Sox had posted the fifth‑worst earned run average (ERA) in the league, with starters at 5.08, the fourth‑worst in MLB. He said the organization believed that improving pitching was essential for success.

After the firing, Cora spoke with Phillies president Dave Dombrowski, who had previously hired him in 2017 and offered him a managerial position again. Cora declined the offer but said he remains open to future opportunities. He noted that he still has one year left on his contract with Boston and that he is focused on his family and coaching his twin boys.

During the podcast, Cora also reflected on his time in Boston, including a family trip to the World Cup viewing party at Boston City Hall and a quiet moment at Fenway Park where his son cried. He urged fans not to take Fenway Park for granted and to continue supporting the team.

The conversation, which was posted on October 26, 2026, provides a candid look at the challenges Cora faced as a manager and his thoughts on life after baseball.