Boston Red Sox: New manager Alex Cora brings the heart of a champion

Fresh off a World Series Championship victory, new Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora spoke for the first time since being hired as the new skipper.

It’s been quite the postseason for Alex Cora.  Not only has he been named the new manager of the Boston Red Sox, he is just less than 24 hours from celebrating a World Series victory as the bench coach of the Houston Astros.

The 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday night brought the first championship to the city of Houston.  It is something the 42-year-old skipper is going to enjoy before he starts his next chapter as Red Sox manager.

"“I’m going to enjoy this one,” Cora said, via The Boston Herald.  “And then everybody knows what’s coming in the next few days, but this one I’m going to enjoy.”"

What’s coming over the next few days is trying to figure out a way to bring some of that offense the Houston Astros enjoyed over to the Red Sox.

Whether it is inspiring young players like Andrew Benintendi, Mookie Betters and Xander Bogaerts, reviving the bat of a veteran like Hanley Ramirez or bringing in some fresh bats like Giancarlo Stanton or J.D. Martinez, Cora will be looked upon to bring some magic back to the historic foundation known as Fenway Park.

He will also bring a ring and that championship heart the Astros celebrated on Wednesday night.  Not that the Red Sox organization or the city of Boston hasn’t been used to championships over the past decade, but this particular Red Sox team needs the heart.

As part of the 2007 Red Sox World Championship team as a player, Alex Cora can now appreciate what it takes to win on the field and as a coach.  That is what he will bring to the 2018 version of the Boston Red Sox.

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Learning from the best

Although he doesn’t have the experience, he has learned from mentor A.J. Hinch and has also played under Terry Francona.  He has seen first-hand what it takes to win and most importantly, how to relate to players by becoming a great leader.

"“A.J. Hinch is a great leader,” Cora said.  “I’m very proud of what he has accomplished.  Sometimes he doesn’t get the credit he deserves, honestly, and this guy, he’s one of the best.  Just like Tito.  I always tell him, he should talk to Tito more often because Tito went through the same situation.  He goes to Philly as a young manager and it didn’t work out, and then he gets a second chance and he learned from the first experience, and now look at him.  This guy is going to be very successful.”"

Boston Red Sox fans hope Cora can get it done with his first opportunity. It will be a lot to ask or expect him to do it in 2018, but he will have the talent in place.   If he can put them in the best position to win and make the most of their talent, he will be a very successful manager.

Next: Boston Red Sox add Tony La Russa to the organization

He certainly sounds like he has the makeup to be one.