Alex Cora Already Receiving Praise From His Players

Rob Way / WEBN-TV

By James Kwon 3/7/2018

It’s always hard being the new guy, unless you are Alex Cora. He’s only a few spring games into his first ever stint as manager, but he feels comfortable with the Red Sox. Afterall, he played for the team from 2005-2008 and was part of the ‘07 World Series Champs.

The Grapefruit League games have been his first taste of managing the team, where he is evaluating the new young prospects for the Sox, as well as a number of other non-roster invitees. Among those in that group is Mike Olt, who in his short time working with Cora has liked what he has seen.

“He’s great, he likes to get to know everybody, he is in depth with getting everybody in better shape,” said Olt. “He knows what it is like to be out there for 162 games, it’s great to be able to share the knowledge with him.”

Cora is fresh off a World Series victory, serving as a bench coach for the Houston Astros last year. His new contract with the Red Sox goes to 2020, with a team option in 2021. While he is focused on the day-by-day duties of getting his team ready, you would have to think Cora is already looking ahead to March 29th, the date of the Sox regular season opener in Tampa against the Rays.