Cora releases statement after Red Sox sign stealing investigation
It has not been a particularly proud week for the Boston Red Sox organization following news that the club would be stripped of a second-round draft pick in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft for sign stealing in 2018. The announcement was made by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred after an investigation found Red Sox replay system operator J.T. Watkins had broken league rules by using in-game video to revise sign sequences shown to players.
The club was managed by Alex Cora at the time, who had taken over the role in 2018 following his World Series triumph with the Houston Astros as a bench coach. It was as a result of his time in Houston and the role he played in their sign-stealing scandal that he was suspended through the 2020 postseason.
Despite the Red Sox being found guilty and Watkins being suspended without pay for the remainder of the campaign, Manfred’s investigation into the Red Sox cleared Cora of any wrongdoing during his time with the club. The former Boston manager has already had his name tarnished and is clearly relieved at the fact he will not be facing further discipline.
“I’m relieved that these MLB investigations are concluded and that Commissioner Rob Manfred has released his finding that I did not violate any MLB rules as a member of the Boston Red Sox organization in 2018 and 2019,” Cora said in the statement.
“I am grateful for the Commissioner’s thoughtful and thorough investigation relating to my conduct as the Red Sox manager. I also take full responsibility for the role I played, along with others, in the Astros’ violations of MLB rules in 2017. The collective conduct of the Astros’ organization in 2017 was unacceptable, and I respect and accept the Commissioner’s discipline for my past actions. I would like to thank my family, friends and the Red Sox organization for their support throughout these investigations.”
“Finally, on a much more serious note, my thoughts and prayers go out to all of the first responders, health-care professionals, essential workers and all of the families who have lost a loved one to COVID-19. We all need to help each other during this difficult time.”
Even after being cleared of any potential infractions during his time in Boston, Cora will still not be able to have any involvement in the 2020 MLB season because of his previous suspension. The Red Sox also had already opted to part ways with Cora a day after the league had announced their findings from the Astros investigation. Along with having both manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow placed under suspension, Houston was also fined $5 million and stripped of their first two draft picks in the 2020 and 2021 MLB drafts.
It remains to be seen whether Cora will ever find a job in baseball again, but having his name exonerated from any crimes in Boston will certainly help his cause. The 44-year-old had an illustrious 14-year career in the MLB as a player, spending time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals.
