ARLINGTON, Texas -- The interview back then was somewhat out of nowhere.
Alex Cora had finished his playing career two years before, having dug into the world of television with ESPN. So when he got the call from Rangers general manager Jon Daniels to interview for the vacant Texas managing job after the 2014 season it was definitely outside-the-box thinking.
While he was perceived as someone who would ultimately land in the manager's chair, the fact that Cora hadn't served as a professional coach in any capacity (with the exception of the Puerto Rican Winter League) made the interview request somewhat out of the ordinary. It was an inexperience that showed up when he dove into the day-long get-together with Daniels.
"I have a great relationship with JD [Jon Daniels," Cora said. "He was the first guy first guy who gave me a chance to interview for a big league job and that was the beginning. I still remember coming here and having no idea what the whole process was going to be. I've been telling people in Boston, little by little I developed my own style for the interview process and you can put it this way in my first interview here, it was Joey's little brother doing the interview. He was the one who walked me through the whole process and prepared me for the process. Honestly with all the help he gave me it was awesome but I didn't feel it was me and it takes a while. it's not easy to walk into that room, yeah I love talking baseball and we talked baseball from 8 to 5 and it was amazing and I respect the guy, he's been amazing to me, we stay in touch, he's one of my good friends in baseball and I wish him the best."
Cora went on to interview in San Diego and Arizona before ultimately landing with the Red Sox. And it was in that interview with the Sox' brass -- which took place in New York during last season's American League Championship Series -- the 42-year-old finally found his true voice.
"Just like that day last year in New York, walked in with a lot of confidence knowing what I know and just be myself. It was night and day," Cora said when asked what the difference was when he finally got his managing opportunity. "I still remember I come in and I was so nervous and knowing JD I knew him but still, it was like… I wish they could have taped it so I could see myself, 'Yuuck, no wonder.' It was tough but I mean it was an honor to come here and go through the process and learn from it. Then San Diego happened then Arizona and obviously this one and the other ones that happened last year but last year it was me. The first few I was still learning and not that it wasn't me but I would have done it differently."
