Alex Cora is returning to Houston for his first playoff series since MLB released its explosive report on the Astros’ sign-stealing tactics, of which he played a central role. The Red Sox’ manager continues to handle the questions with grace.
Ever since the Red Sox rehired Cora, he’s taken full responsibility for his part in the illegal subterfuge. There have been no cheap shots or attempts to save his reputation. When Cora is asked about the ordeal, he takes responsibility and moves on. In other words, he’s carrying himself like a leader should.
On Merloni and Fauria Wednesday, Cora said he won’t shy away from the questions. “I understand what people are going to ask, what they’re going to talk about,” he said. “I’ve been talking about it the whole season. They’re going to get the same answer I’ve been giving the whole time.”
Cora set the tone at his reintroduction press conference in November, even telling reporters to not make him out as some hero who’s overcome adversity. His setback was self-inflicted.
“I don't want people to make it seem like it's a great comeback story,” Cora said. “I don't want that. I'm actually going to use this bad experience to make people better.”
Contrast Cora’s approach with that of the Patriots, who release their own counter-reports and scoff at the notion of any wrongdoing. Fair or not, that’s one of the reasons Bill Belichick has never been able to shake his machiavellian reputation. He’s never admitted fault.
The Astros have taken a similar approach. They've rubbed their success in their critics' faces, taking pleasure in playing the dark knights of baseball. "What are they going to say now?," Correa said last October.
Contrastingly, grandstanding from Cora would only result in his players facing unwarranted heat. When the Red Sox made their first trip to Houston this year, he once again put himself at the center of the story. “But like I’ve been telling the guys — and you guys can ask them if you want to — they know I put myself in this situation,” he said. “I handled the situation the way I’m going to handle it. I’m not afraid to talk about it.”
Cora’s accountability about what happened in Houston also deflects questions about the Red Sox’ own cheating scandal. Remember: they were accused of sign-stealing during their 2018 championship run. An MLB investigation resulted in the suspension of a supposed rogue video operator. Cora escaped punishment.
But he hasn’t reminded anybody of that. He’s just put his head down, and done his job.
That’s the best approach when it comes to playing the Astros, who relish their outlaw reputation. Look at what happened in the ALDS. White Sox reliever Nick Tepera insinuated they were cheating when the teams matched up in Houston following Chicago’s Game 3 victory.
How did the Astros respond? They won Game 4 by a score of 10-1.
So far, Nathan Eovaldi is the only Red Sox player to speak negatively about the Astros, telling The Greg Hill Show they “have a tendency of rubbing guys the wrong way.” There is a personal history with Eovaldi and the Astros, too: Alex Bregman trolled him in the 2017 ALDS, and his hometown club wasn’t interested when he was a free agent.
But that will probably be all we hear from the Red Sox. Like others, they may detest Houston’s cocky and braggadocios style, and the fact none of their players faced repercussions. The best retorts, however, come on the field.
They take their lead from their manager.
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