The Red Sox yesterday formally introduced new manager Alex Cora, who becomes the "first minority manger" in the team's 117-year history in a "watershed moment for a franchise still burdened by a record of racial intolerance in the 20th century," according to a front-page piece by Bob Hohler of the BOSTON GLOBE. The Red Sox are the "26th of the 30 big league clubs to hire a minority manager." Cora "presented the Puerto Rican flag" to President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski at a news conference at Fenway Park to thank the Red Sox for "supporting the island after the devastation of Hurricane Maria." Cora's hiring was "hailed by community leaders and advocates of greater diversity in baseball’s management ranks." Red Sox execs said that the choice was "rooted solely in their belief that Cora is best suited to guide the team to its fourth World Series title of the century." But Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy, citing the franchise’s "shameful past with respect to racial issues," said that the club also "recognizes the significance of Cora’s ethnicity." The Red Sox "turned to Cora after some incidents at Fenway Park last season renewed concerns about racial insensitivity." The team responded by "launching a 'Take the Lead' initiative." State Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez said, "To name Alex their first manager of color, after their checkered history, is a big deal." Kennedy said that ownership "agreed with Dombrowski that Cora was the best among a group of finalists" that included new Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire and former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus. Advocates for minority managers said that Dombrowski’s support was "crucial, citing his willingness for more than 20 years to promote Latino managerial candidates" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/7). In Boston, Greg Bedard wrote for the Red Sox, the hiring is "another page turned on a disturbing past." A parade of "lily-white managers has finally been broken by a face of color that not only better represents today’s game, its future and the players who take the field," but the "city and region as well" (BOSTONSPORTSJOURNAL.com, 11/6).
LET'S GET ANALYTICAL: In Boston, Nick Cafardo notes Cora is "going to bring the analytics aspect" that he relied upon as Astros bench coach to the Red Sox. Cora said, "The most important thing about the whole analytical world and the coaches, they have to be connected. And we have to understand that there’s a lot of money invested on the analytical department, and when they invest money on this, as coaches, you have to embrace the information." He added, "Then you have to filter this information and give it to the players. At the end of the day, you know who wins games? The players" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/7). Dombrowski said that the Red Sox would "add a 'quality coach' -- someone who may well be in uniform -- to help connect analytics to the field" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/7).
EXPERIENCE NOT AN ISSUE: In Providence, Tim Britton notes when the Red Sox fired John Farrell following another early postseason departure, Dombrowski "highlighted experience as a critical criterion in locating the club’s next manager." Dombrowski said that the manager "has to know what he’s getting himself into." But Dombrowski ended up "hiring Boston’s first first-time major-league manager in 15 years." He hired someone with "less major-league coaching experience than the organization’s last six managerial hires." But Dombrowski and Cora "measure experience in a different way." Dombrowski said, "It was apparent with his intellect and feel for the game that not managing at the major-league level was not a major obstacle for us." Cora "embarks upon this job with a résumé nearly as accomplished and diverse as that of his predecessor." Cora has been a player, coach and front-office exec, and he filled in as manager when the Astros' A.J. Hinch was ejected. He just "hasn't done it as traditionally" (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, 11/7). In Boston, Steve Buckley writes in any other year, Cora's lack of experience "would absolutely be a minus." Buckley: "Not now. Not here." Red Sox fans should "celebrate, not question, Cora’s lack of managerial bonafides." For if ever there was a team in "need of a manager with his own ideas, his own approach, his own way of dealing with clubhouse cliques and bruised egos," it is the Red Sox (BOSTON HERALD, 11/7).
TIME TO SPEND: In Boston, Chad Jennings notes the Red Sox avoided MLB's "competitive balance tax and were able to reset future penalties for going over the league’s payroll threshold." Dombrowski said that he "does not expect the competitive balance tax -- luxury tax, as it’s commonly known -- to be a limitation." Red Sox Owner John Henry "seemed to confirm that willingness to spend without going into detail." Next year’s tax threshold is $197M, and because the Red Sox "reset their penalties," they will be taxed only 20% for "any salary over that mark." The penalty would have been 50% had they "gone over a third year in a row" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/7).
