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Alex Cora was fired and shipped out unceremoniously in the dark of a Baltimore night. He told reporters he was happy. He was heading back to his home in Puerto Rico, ready to spend a summer with his family.
But he also sat down and wrote a love letter to the people and the ballpark of the same organization that had just given him the boot.
Days after being dismissed, Cora sent a mass email to the Red Sox organization thanking the staff, honoring the city and fans and closing with a reminder to everyone to cherish Fenway Park.
“One last thing, keep showing up every day and don’t take the Fenway experience for granted, you working place is the best place in the world," Cora wrote in the letter, obtained by MassLive.com.
Cora, who played in Boston before managing there, drew a stark contrast to the men who sent him packing.
When chief baseball officer Craig Breslow gathered the players the morning after, the meeting lasted seven minutes. He spoke for about two of them, according to reports. No questions were allowed. Owner John Henry stood against a wall and said nothing to the group.
There was no explanation or understanding that the players felt. Reliever Garrett Whitlock told reporters they made it clear their players were paid to just play baseball.
Even at his press conference the day after the firing, Breslow offered nothing of substance.
“It comes down to the belief that we have in the players and the belief that we have in the group to accomplish what we set out to accomplish,” Breslow said.
There was little feel to the way Breslow, who spent over a decade playing in the big leagues, handed the situation.
Trevor Story called Breslow’s explanation unsatisfactory. He said the direction of the franchise was “up in the air.”
That may be the underlying reason for Cora’s “I’m happy” reaction. The Breslow-constructed roster is a mess with too many outfielders and lack of veteran players; the pitching staff is unsettled with Garret Crochet and his 6.30 ERA now on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation.
Cora turned down a chance to jump right back in as the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. He said he needed time to spend with his family and adjust to life after the Red Sox.
“Being part of this organization has meant a great deal to me,” Cora wrote. “As a player and as a manager. Like I always tell free agents, I’m glad my kids grew up here. It’s unique, special and magical place.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alex Cora pens emotional email to Boston Red Sox after firing
Continue reading...
But he also sat down and wrote a love letter to the people and the ballpark of the same organization that had just given him the boot.
Days after being dismissed, Cora sent a mass email to the Red Sox organization thanking the staff, honoring the city and fans and closing with a reminder to everyone to cherish Fenway Park.
“One last thing, keep showing up every day and don’t take the Fenway experience for granted, you working place is the best place in the world," Cora wrote in the letter, obtained by MassLive.com.
Cora, who played in Boston before managing there, drew a stark contrast to the men who sent him packing.
When chief baseball officer Craig Breslow gathered the players the morning after, the meeting lasted seven minutes. He spoke for about two of them, according to reports. No questions were allowed. Owner John Henry stood against a wall and said nothing to the group.
There was no explanation or understanding that the players felt. Reliever Garrett Whitlock told reporters they made it clear their players were paid to just play baseball.
Even at his press conference the day after the firing, Breslow offered nothing of substance.
“It comes down to the belief that we have in the players and the belief that we have in the group to accomplish what we set out to accomplish,” Breslow said.
There was little feel to the way Breslow, who spent over a decade playing in the big leagues, handed the situation.
Trevor Story called Breslow’s explanation unsatisfactory. He said the direction of the franchise was “up in the air.”
That may be the underlying reason for Cora’s “I’m happy” reaction. The Breslow-constructed roster is a mess with too many outfielders and lack of veteran players; the pitching staff is unsettled with Garret Crochet and his 6.30 ERA now on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation.
Cora turned down a chance to jump right back in as the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. He said he needed time to spend with his family and adjust to life after the Red Sox.
“Being part of this organization has meant a great deal to me,” Cora wrote. “As a player and as a manager. Like I always tell free agents, I’m glad my kids grew up here. It’s unique, special and magical place.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alex Cora pens emotional email to Boston Red Sox after firing
Continue reading...