No one was that surprised the Red Sox let Alex Cora go amid multiple sign-stealing scandals
The Boston Red Sox announced they have parted ways with manager Alex Cora after a Major League Baseball investigation revealed him as a mastermind behind the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal.
Statement from the Boston #RedSox and Alex Cora: pic.twitter.com/qXsUhSobSy
— Red Sox (@RedSox) January 15, 2020
The Astros set a precedent on Monday when they fired manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow following MLB’s decision to suspend both for the entire 2020 season.
Cora, who was the Astros bench coach when the elaborate sign-stealing scheme began, is expected to receive a harsher punishment from the league after being called out by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred when the Astros punishment was announced. Cora’s Red Sox are also under investigation for an alleged sign-stealing scheme that took place during their 2018 championship season.
That all added up to make this tweet from Cora in 2016 very, very unfortunate.
Stealing signs, relaying signs, getting signs...not that easy.
— Alex (@ac13alex) October 17, 2016
Based on the known information and the early reactions from MLB players and fans, it was no surprise when Cora and the Red Sox agreed to part ways on Tuesday. Some were ready with zingers. Others offered more supportive words for the man himself.
Cora getting fired pic.twitter.com/RE3KKEzrIE
— Brett Anderson (@_BAnderson30_) January 15, 2020
Alex Cora treated me wonderful when I was with the @Dodgers and is known as one of the best guys in the game. In saying that, man has always tried to gain an edge in anyway possible, but when rules are broken you must pay the price. What’s done in the dark will come to light.💯 https://t.co/I4HZNGOYWd
— James Loney (@james__loney) January 15, 2020
Cora’s final words as manager of the Red Sox:
"This is a special place. There is nothing like it in all of baseball, and I will miss it dearly."
Really sucks it had to end this way. But I get it.— Emerson Lotzia, Jr. (@EmersonLotzia) January 15, 2020
Not surprisingly, the fans were more on the unforgiving side.
A.J. Hinch and Alex Cora losing their jobs for being cheaters? pic.twitter.com/vaVSRes6Vr
— Keenan Slusher (@Keenan_Slusher) January 15, 2020
When is the episode with Alex Cora and A.J. Hinch? pic.twitter.com/5AXHOWjdt3
— Artist Formerly Known As Whoopty-Hell (@FanoftheLand13) January 15, 2020
Would be absolutely hilarious if the Astros hired Cora. Kinda rooting for that
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 15, 2020
The poor New York Mets weren’t even involved in the scandal, yet they couldn’t avoid a few jabs. New manager Carlos Beltran was an active member of the Astros roster when the 2017 sign-stealing took place. Like all of the players involved, Beltran did not receive a punishment, but some fans couldn’t resist.
Alex Cora has been fired. A.J. Hinch has been fired. Everyone keeps asking...what about Carlos Beltran? What's his punishment?
Well, he has to manage the Mets. Justice served, I think.— Rob Port (@robport) January 15, 2020
Alex Cora - Fired
A.J. Hinch - Fired
Carlos Beltran - Managing the Mets
Who's suffering the worst?— Joseph (@BubankusMoosaka) January 15, 2020
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