FORT MYERS, Florida — On Tuesday, Alex Cora held his first spring training press conference. I doubt he’ll be around to serve the same role the following year.
Though the Red Sox are struggling, Cora is a man with choices. A manager without an extension is typically referred to as a lame duck. The most appropriate ornithological metaphor in Cora’s instance, however, may be “free as a bird.”
Despite any problems with their star power on the field, the Red Sox have plenty of it in the dugout. One of the most well-liked managers in the game, Cora would be doing himself a disservice if he didn’t use his advantage while he has the opportunity, especially considering the enormous $40 million contract the Cubs recently awarded Craig Counsell to leave the Brewers.
Cora talked extensively about the difficulties of managing in Boston, the toll the job took on him last year, and how unconcerned he is about starting the final year of his contract, but he declined to discuss his desire to stay with the Red Sox on Tuesday.
In other words:
He restated that he has no intention of managing for ten years with young twins, and that his next course of action will be determined by family considerations. After two spells in Boston interspersed with a one-year suspension in 2020, Cora is about to begin his sixth season there.
In a book he acknowledged reading, renowned soccer manager Pep Guardiola made the observation that “living somewhere for five or six years can have a negative impact on you.” I believe that’s what hit me last year.”
Keeping with soccer, he said he could see why Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool took the unexpected choice to resign from his position at the end of the current campaign.
He talked about the mental and physical toll that the Red Sox took last season—the team’s third losing season in four years—and how Cora’s health declined sharply. As a result, he made strict food and exercise adjustments that have helped him maintain an almost player-like figure.
“Last year was not easy for me. I have to be sincere,” Cora, 48, uttered. “I was worn down by the season. It was difficult physically and mentally.”
In September, Cora made the decision to concentrate on leading a healthy lifestyle, partially due to his desire to avoid looking bad during his induction into the Puerto Rican Hall of Fame and partly because he had started training for the Boston Marathon with her brother, Angelica.
Cora remarked, “I started acting like that support guy.” “While we were running, she was actually kicking my behind, so I thought, ‘OK, you’re going to take it to that level?’ I was helping them, but it quickly got competitive. I will, however, take it a step farther.”
Although Cora appears well-groomed, he is aware of how quickly things may go wrong, particularly in a competitive market like Boston.
“Dude, it’s not easy,” Cora remarked. “It’s not easy dealing with the media, players, front office, and the expectation to win. Sometimes it’s not fun, even though it should be.”
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