Alex Cora stood in the center of the Red Sox clubhouse, a new cap on his head with the 2025 MLB Postseason patch stitched to the side. His red shirt read “October Baseball” with the Red Sox logo stamped in the middle.
Around him, the players matched their manager—same shirts, ski goggles strapped on, champagne bottles shaking in hand—ready for a celebration four years in the making.
“In spring training, we talked about hitting a standard every single day. We knew it wasn’t going to be perfect. But we were going to go as a family. We were going to learn how to win games. And, little by little, we were going to be better and better and better,” he said. “I’m very proud of all of you guys. Through the years, we went through a lot. Injuries, and other stuff, you know? We struggled, and we got up. And we kept going and going and going. I want to thank you for the effort. I want to thank you for everything that you guys have done. But, you guys know, we didn’t come here to play only 162. We came here to win the World Series. Let’s f***ing Go.”
The room erupted. Champagne sprayed, cheers echoed. It was a rare glimpse of raw emotion from the typically composed manager, who usually prefers to keep it buttoned up.
“The one time that I showed emotion after winning a series was against Tampa, and I hated it. Hated it,” Cora recalled. “And it was for the right reasons. Camila [Cora’s daughter] was there, coming from the [Cora’s] suspension. And that whole year, it seemed like Tampa was kind of like the topic around here, like they’re so much better than us. We were trying to beat them. And to be able to beat them, it felt really, really good. And I just exploded. And I hated it, because the job is to win four games in the last series of the season. That’s what it’s all about.”
But after clinching a postseason berth for the first time in four years on Friday night, this was one of those rare occasions when Cora felt it was worth letting go. His team had battled through injuries, blockbuster trades, and the grind of a 162-game slate. And in his eyes, they’d been overlooked from the very start.
“I know that there is a game on Tuesday, and we have to win that series. But to talk to them and let them know how we felt in February with everything that we went through this year – Because let’s be honest, nobody thought we were gonna make it to October. Whoever says that, yeah, we were a playoff team, that’s f***ing bulls***, to be honest with you,” Cora said. “Nobody thought we were going to make it to October. It was New York, Baltimore, and Toronto. And we believed we were going to play in October. We set our standards every single day, and we hit our standards. Up and down, trades, injuries, we kept going. And you have to let them know, because over 162, to do that, it is not easy, and they accomplish that.”
The Red Sox finished their divisional slate 32-20 (.615), their best in the division since 2018 and fifth-best in the last 35 seasons — a result Cora says nobody saw coming.
“People thought we had a good team, but in the division, nobody thought that we were going to be this good,” said Cora.
Friday night’s celebration was well-deserved and an essential step toward the long-term goal. But the Red Sox aren’t satisfied yet — a sentiment echoed throughout the clubhouse.
“It feels good, we’re not at all satisfied though,” said ace Garrett Crochet. “We still got a lot of games that we intend on playing.”
By Saturday afternoon, it was back to business as usual. The overpowering smell of cigar was gone. The champagne and beer-soaked carpet was spotless. Back to work, though still feeling the effects from the night before.
“They did a good job. They turned the page,” said Cora. “They’re hungover, that’s the reality of it. But, we will show up today, and we will try to kick their ass.”