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Alex Cora has opened up about the surprising end of his tenure with the Boston Red Sox, offering his most detailed public comments since the organization dismissed him on April 25, 2026. Speaking with the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast, Cora discussed the decision, the firing of several coaches and whether he could manage again in 2027.
Cora said he never expected the season to end so quickly. Just weeks earlier, the Red Sox had made him one of baseball’s highest-paid managers, placing their confidence in his ability to guide the team back toward World Series contention. Instead, Boston removed Cora and several members of his coaching staff after a disappointing start.
Alex Cora Reveals the Moment He Knew
The former Red Sox manager recalled the events of April 25, when Boston defeated the Baltimore Orioles 17-1. The victory improved the team to 10-17 and briefly appeared to signal a turnaround. Cora said he felt encouraged by the players’ response and began planning a coaches’ dinner after the game.
That optimism changed when chief baseball officer Craig Breslow sent him a message at the Four Seasons hotel. Breslow told Cora that he was there with team president Sam Kennedy and principal owner John Henry and wanted to meet.
Cora immediately understood what was coming.
“When I got the text, I knew. I’m going to get fired,” he recalled.
He said he called his mother, fiancée Angelica Feliciano, and his brother Joey before entering the meeting. Cora explained that the presence of Breslow, Kennedy and Henry made the situation clear. In his view, the meeting could have resulted in either an extension or a dismissal—but he knew an extension was not coming.
The Critical Issue Behind the Red Sox Decision
Cora believes the central reason for the move was the team’s pitching. Boston’s staff struggled badly during the opening weeks, with the club carrying one of the worst team ERAs in baseball. Red Sox starters had a 5.08 ERA, which ranked among the poorest marks in Major League Baseball at the time.
“I honestly feel like we got fired, or I got fired, because we didn’t pitch,” Cora said.
The irony, he noted, was that Boston’s pitching later improved dramatically. The Red Sox went on to post the second-best ERA in baseball across the following three months and reached the playoffs. Cora said the team ultimately received the pitching, defense and timely hitting it needed to accomplish the goals established during the offseason.
That turnaround has naturally fueled questions about whether the Red Sox acted too quickly. Cora acknowledged that the organization had the right to make its decision, but he emphasized that the team had evaluated only a small sample of the season before making a sweeping change.
Cora Criticizes the Coaching Shake-Up
While Cora expected his own dismissal, he said the decision to remove much of the coaching staff caused the strongest emotional reaction. Boston also parted ways with hitting coaches Pete Fatse, Dillon Lawson and Joe Cronin, bench coach Ramon Vazquez and third-base coach Kyle Hudson. Jason Varitek was reassigned.
“The thing that really upset me that Saturday was that other guys paid the price,” Cora said.
He argued that removing an entire group in the middle of a season creates disruption for players, particularly younger members of the roster who rely on veteran coaches for guidance. Cora said that if the organization wanted a different voice, it could have removed him without dismantling the rest of the staff.
Despite his criticism, Cora credited Breslow with showing conviction. He said the baseball executive clearly had concerns about the program and accepted responsibility for making a difficult decision.
Will Alex Cora Manage Again in 2027?
Cora also discussed his future. He has one year remaining on his contract with Boston and said he is not completely ruling out a return to the dugout in 2027. He acknowledged that Philadelphia Phillies president Dave Dombrowski contacted him after the Red Sox move and that the two remain in communication.
However, Cora said he is still weighing his priorities. Time with his family, coaching young players and recovering from a turbulent season have changed his perspective. He remains passionate about baseball but is not certain that managing next year is the right path.
Before fully moving on, Cora delivered a message to Red Sox fans: never take Fenway Park for granted. He pointed to the dramatic shift from criticism of the organization to the excitement surrounding Boston’s playoff push as proof that fortunes can change quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Red Sox fire Alex Cora?
Cora said he believes the decision was primarily connected to Boston’s poor pitching performance early in the 2026 season.
When was Alex Cora dismissed?
The Red Sox dismissed Cora on April 25, 2026, after a 17-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
Which coaches were removed with Cora?
Boston also dismissed Pete Fatse, Dillon Lawson, Joe Cronin, Ramon Vazquez and Kyle Hudson, while Jason Varitek was reassigned.
Could Alex Cora manage again in 2027?
Yes. Cora said he is undecided but may consider managing again if the right opportunity emerges.
