FORT MYERS, Fla. — If Alex Cora was not in the Boston Red Sox dugout for some unforeseen reason, there is no doubt he would’ve been in the first base dugout.
The Red Sox manager is not only a native of P.R but spends a few months – November and December – back there support his former winter league, Criollos de Caguas.
The Red Sox organization hosted the Puerto Rican national team for two days. His brother, Tigers third base coach, Joey Cora, has the same duty for this team.
Cora lit up talking about this brother’s spot on this legendary coaching roster which includes manager Yadier Molina, hitting coaches Edgar Martinez and Juan Gonzalez, first base coach Sandy Alomar and consultant Carlos Delgado.
“The last time he was able to wear the jersey was in 1984-85 in a world championship in Cuba,” said Cora. “They had two established amateur infielders, Jose Santana, and I forget the shortstop’s name. So Joey played right field.
“And I remember all this stuff because in that tournament, me and my dad were in the balcony of my house in the corner, because that was the only corner that you can get the signal from the radio station,” recalled Cora. “And Joey dove into the bullpen to make a play, and my dad was going nuts, like, ‘What the hell is he doing?’ But for him to be part of this is amazing.”
Cora’s mom, who was in the area with her boys, was not planning on attending.
“I had a conversation with my mom today about tickets. She she told my sister, ‘I’m not going,’” said Cora. “I had to pick up the phone and say ‘Hey, listen, I know how you are. I know how you feel, but this is important for us. You have to go and show up.’”
As for P.R.’s underdog status to the Big Four – USA, Japan, Dominican Republic and Venezuela – Cora basically said all bets are off.
“We’ve had some good teams that have played there and not advance, in 2006,” recalled Cora. “And we had punch. We had Carlos Beltran and Javi Lopez. Hopefully they can do it and advance to the next round in Houston. We know the matchups are going to be tough (there), but it’s only a game.
“Somebody can get on that mound and go six (innings), then that bullpen is really good,” said Cora. “Hit the ball out of the park and play the trumpets all night.”
Flags cover Sox lockers
The Boston Red Sox are well-represented in the World Baseball Classic, which begins in Japan on Wednesday.
They have 14 players ready to begin, with most of them playing this weekend.
Here are the Red Sox in the WBC:
Roman Anthony, USA
Garrett Whitlock, USA
Jarren Duran, Mexico
Ceddanne Rafaela, Netherlands
Wilyer Abreu, Venezuela
Wilson Contreras, Venezuela
Brayan Bello, Dominican Republic
Jack Anderson, Great Britain
Nate Eaton, Great Britain
Greg Weissert, Italy
Eduardo Rivera, Puerto Rico
Jovani Morán, Puerto Rico
Tayron Guerrero, Colombia
Masataka Yoshida, Japan