Former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora is relieved that MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s investigation revealed that he did not play a role in his team’s sign-stealing rule during the 2018 and 2019 season, he said in a statement to ESPN’s Marly Rivera.
“I’m relieved that these MLB investigations are concluded and that Commissioner Rob Manfred has released his finding that I did not violate any MLB rules as a member of the Boston Red Sox organization in 2018 and 2019,” Cora said in the statement. “I am grateful for the Commissioner’s thoughtful and thorough investigation relating to my conduct as the Red Sox manager. I also take full responsibility for the role I played, along with others, in the Astros’ violations of MLB rules in 2017. The collective conduct of the Astros’ organization in 2017 was unacceptable, and I respect and accept the Commissioner’s discipline for my past actions. I would like to thank my family, friends and the Red Sox organization for their support throughout these investigations.”
The Red Sox were stripped of their second-round pick in the 2021 draft while replay system operator J.T. Watkins was suspended without pay through this year’s post-season and prohibited from serving as the replay room operator through 2021.
Cora was previously suspended for the 2020 season — including the playoffs — for his role in the Houston Astros‘ sign-stealing scandal which also saw manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow suspended back on Jan. 13 and fired that day by the team. Houston was also fined $5 million and lost their first- and second-round picks in the next two amateur drafts.
“MLB acknowledged the front office’s extensive efforts to communicate and enforce the rules and concluded that Alex Cora, the coaching staff, and most of the players did not engage in, nor were they aware of, any violations,” Red Sox president Sam Kennedy said in a statement. “Regardless, these rule violations are unacceptable. We apologize to our fans and Major League Baseball.”
Boston decided to part ways with the 44-year-old the day after the league released their findings from the Astros’ investigation.
[relatedlinks]
