Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Alex Cora

Discover the career path of Alex Cora, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Alex Cora is a Puerto Rican professional baseball manager and former MLB infielder. He managed the Boston Red Sox to a World Series title in 2018, his first season as manager. He had a 14-season MLB playing career with multiple teams, including the Red Sox and Dodgers. Prior to managing the Red Sox, Cora served as the bench coach for the Houston Astros during their 2017 World Series-winning season. He is the first Puerto Rican manager to win a World Series.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1924: Bucky Harris wins World Series

In 1924, Bucky Harris wins the World Series.

1946: Eddie Dyer wins World Series

In 1946, Eddie Dyer wins the World Series.

1961: Ralph Houk wins World Series

In 1961, Ralph Houk wins the World Series.

1993: Drafted by Minnesota Twins

In 1993, Alex Cora was drafted in the 12th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Minnesota Twins, but he did not sign and chose to play college baseball at the University of Miami instead.

1995: Named to College World Series All-Tournament Team

In 1995, Alex Cora was named to the College World Series all-tournament team while playing baseball at the University of Miami.

1996: Named to College World Series All-Tournament Team

In 1996, Alex Cora was again named to the College World Series all-tournament team. He led the team to the title game, which they lost to Louisiana State University.

1996: Rated Best Collegiate Defensive Player; Drafted by Dodgers

In 1996, Alex Cora was rated by Baseball America as the best collegiate defensive player. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round and played 61 games for the Class A-Advanced Vero Beach Dodgers.

1997: Played for San Antonio Missions

In 1997, Alex Cora played 127 games with the Double-A San Antonio Missions, batting .234 with 3 home runs and 48 RBIs.

June 7, 1998: MLB Debut With Dodgers

On June 7, 1998, Alex Cora made his major league debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Seattle Mariners. His brother, Joey Cora, was Seattle's starting second baseman in the game.

1998: Played for Albuquerque Dukes

In 1998, Alex Cora played for the Triple-A Albuquerque Dukes, hitting .264 in 81 games.

1999: Played for Albuquerque Dukes

In 1999, Alex Cora played for the Triple-A Albuquerque Dukes, hitting .308 in 80 games.

2000: Played Shortstop for Dodgers

During the 2000 season, Alex Cora primarily played shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2000: Played for Albuquerque Dukes

In 2000, Alex Cora played for the Triple-A Albuquerque Dukes, hitting .373 in 30 games.

October 5, 2001: Played in Long Game for Dodgers

On October 5, 2001, Alex Cora played in a 4-hour, 27-minute game between the Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants. Cora entered as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning.

2001: Played Shortstop for Dodgers

During the 2001 season, Alex Cora primarily played shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2001: Bob Brenly wins World Series

In 2001, Bob Brenly wins the World Series.

2002: Primary Second Baseman for Dodgers

In 2002, Alex Cora became the primary second baseman for the Dodgers after the emergence of César Izturis and a trade.

2004: Postseason Series with Dodgers

In 2004, Alex Cora played in one postseason series with the Dodgers, the NLDS, which they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals. He batted 2-for-15 in the series.

January 18, 2005: Signed with Cleveland Indians

On January 18, 2005, Alex Cora signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.

July 7, 2005: Traded to Boston Red Sox

On July 7, 2005, Alex Cora was traded to the Boston Red Sox for infielder Ramón Vázquez.

December 2005: Renteria traded to Atlanta Braves

In December 2005, Édgar Rentería was traded to the Atlanta Braves. Alex Cora was being eyed to take the position of starting shortstop.

February 2006: Red Sox Acquired Alex Gonzalez

In February 2006, the Red Sox acquired Álex González. For the 2006 season, Cora appeared in 96 games.

August 18, 2006: Played in Longest Game For Red Sox

On August 18, 2006, Alex Cora was the starting shortstop in a 4-hour, 45-minute game between the Red Sox and the New York Yankees, the longest nine-inning game on record.

2006: Played in World Baseball Classic

In 2006, Alex Cora played for the Puerto Rico national baseball team in the World Baseball Classic.

2007: Won the World Series with Red Sox

In 2007, Alex Cora was a member of the Red Sox team that won the World Series. He appeared as a late-innings defensive replacement in two games of the ALCS and two games of the World Series.

October 30, 2008: Became a Free Agent

On October 30, 2008, Alex Cora became a free agent after four seasons with the Boston Red Sox.

2008: Postseason Appearance with Red Sox

In 2008, Alex Cora appeared in four postseason games for the Red Sox, two in the ALDS (which Boston won) and two in the ALCS (which Boston lost). He batted 4-for-26.

January 22, 2009: Signed With New York Mets

On January 22, 2009, Alex Cora signed a one-year deal with the New York Mets.

November 30, 2009: Re-Signed With Mets

On November 30, 2009, Alex Cora re-signed with the Mets for the 2010 season, with an option for 2011.

2009: Played in World Baseball Classic

In 2009, Alex Cora played for the Puerto Rico national baseball team in the World Baseball Classic.

August 7, 2010: Released by Mets

On August 7, 2010, Alex Cora was released by the New York Mets.

August 17, 2010: Signed With Texas Rangers

On August 17, 2010, Alex Cora signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City.

January 2011: Signed With Washington Nationals

In January 2011, Alex Cora signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.

2011: Played Winter Baseball in Puerto Rico

Following the 2011 season, Cora played winter baseball in Puerto Rico, after which he announced his retirement; shortly thereafter he clarified that he was retiring only from winter baseball.

February 5, 2012: Signed With St. Louis Cardinals

On February 5, 2012, Alex Cora agreed to a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.

March 25, 2012: Released By Cardinals

On March 25, 2012, Alex Cora was released by the St. Louis Cardinals.

March 2016: Named General Manager of Puerto Rico Team

In March 2016, Alex Cora was named as the general manager of the Puerto Rico national baseball team.

November 15, 2016: Became Bench Coach for Astros

On November 15, 2016, Alex Cora became the bench coach for the Houston Astros.

August 25, 2017: First Career MLB Ejection

On August 25, 2017, Alex Cora was ejected from a game against the Los Angeles Angels by home plate umpire Laz Díaz. This was Cora's first career MLB ejection.

November 2, 2017: Formally Assumed Red Sox Role

On November 2, 2017, Alex Cora formally assumed the role of manager for the Boston Red Sox, following the World Series.

2017: Interviewed for Red Sox Managerial Position

During the 2017 ALCS, Alex Cora interviewed for the open managerial position of the Boston Red Sox.

2017: Assumed Managerial Duties for Astros

During the 2017 season, Alex Cora assumed managerial duties on three occasions for the Houston Astros, following ejections of manager A. J. Hinch.

2017: Served as GM for World Baseball Classic

In 2017, Alex Cora served as the general manager of the Puerto Rico national baseball team through the World Baseball Classic.

2017: Houston Astros Win World Series; Cora serves as Bench Coach

In 2017, Alex Cora was the bench coach for the Houston Astros when they won their first World Series title.

2017: Astros Finish With 101 Wins, Win World Series

In 2017, the Houston Astros, where Alex Cora was the bench coach, finished with a record of 101-61 and won in Game 7 of the World Series.

August 3, 2018: First Ejection As Manager

On August 3, 2018, Alex Cora was ejected for the first time as a manager in a game against the Yankees.

November 14, 2018: Contract Renegotiated with Red Sox

On November 14, 2018, the Red Sox announced that they had renegotiated Alex Cora's contract, including an extension through the 2021 season, with a club option for 2022.

2018: Managed in Longest World Series Game

In 2018, Alex Cora managed the Red Sox in the third game of the World Series, which became the longest game in World Series history, lasting 7 hours and 20 minutes and 18 innings.

2018: Named Boston Red Sox Manager; Wins World Series

In 2018, Alex Cora was named manager of the Boston Red Sox. He led the team to a franchise-best 108 games and victory in the 2018 World Series.

2018: Named Red Sox Manager

On October 22, 2017, the day after the Astros defeated the New York Yankees in the ALCS, it was announced that Alex Cora would be named as Red Sox manager. He signed a three-year contract, beginning in 2018 through 2020, with an option for 2021.