MLB : Dodgers vs Red Sox Monday, October 22, 2018 Alex Cora Red Sox Workout Day there was people waiting for me to sign autographs, which it was weird. Like hey, man, we're just here to Q. Talk about and his health. How is he get some food. doing? ALEX CORA: He's doing okay. He's doing okay. Yeah, they're loving it. They're loving it. It's a likable Actually he's going to go out and throw a little bit more. team. That group of guys over there, we've been He's ready to roll. I think all these off days are going to talking about them for the last two weeks how humble help him out physically and with his belly button ring, they are. And now people are getting to know them - whatever (laughter). , J.D. Martinez, JBJ, . It's a fun group. Very excited that he's going to throw the first pitch tomorrow. It's a great opportunity for us to compete Since day one when we came back from that road trip, against a great organization, a great team, and we Tampa, Miami, you had a feeling that the city was going have the right guy on the mound. to fall in love with them. We had that comeback against Tampa. We were down five, we came back Q. Congratulations for being the first Puerto Rican and people started to recognize that, hey, man, they to take his team to the World Series. fight all the way to the end. And that's the way it ALEX CORA: Thank you. should be. Everywhere I go now in the city it's about them, which is cool. Q. What does that mean in light of what happened with Maria a year ago? Like I've been saying all along, I'm very proud of them. ALEX CORA: I feel great. I'm proud to be here. I'm And I'm glad that people are recognizing them, not only proud representing not only all the Puerto Ricans that here in Boston but all over the world. They do like this live in the island, but Puerto Ricans all around the team. world. We know what happened last year. It was a tough one. And Maria kicked our ass, you know. As a Q. Curious, last year you had the opportunity of country, we've done an outstanding job fighting. We're being in the other dugout against Dave, but being standing up on our own two feet. I know there's a lot of the manager now, going up against your former people back home they're proud of me, of what I've teammate, are the emotions a little bit different this done throughout the year. But I'm proud of them. We time? actually -- it's almost back to normal. Almost back to ALEX CORA: I know it's going to sound bad, but not normal. really. I love the guy. He means a lot to me but at the same time we have a job to do. And you start looking It's been great the last month all the feedback. I'm very at my postseason this year, we had Boonie with the happy that whenever the Red Sox win and when Yankees, A.J. with the Astros, and now we've got Dave. Christian plays great or Enrique plays great or Carlos And at the end of the day we like each other, we're and Francisco, there's something that they have for friends and we respect each other, but at the end they them to enjoy. And if Alex is a part of that, so be it, you want to win four to win the World Series and we feel know? It should be fun the next week, week and a half, the same -- we want to do the same thing. whatever it is. And looking forward to getting back home after the World Series. So our friendship is going to be the same during the series and after the series and our families, I think Cole Q. Several of the guys were just saying that there's is in high school now. I saw Cole when he was four or just a different buzz in this city. How much are you five. And now I have baby twins, and Tricia probably is looking forward to the atmosphere these next going to see them, and Dave is going to see them. couple of days? And we love each other. I met this guy in 1999. We ALEX CORA: Yeah, I had a firsthand experience three played winter ball together. Very likable, the energy he days ago: We left Fenway and we went to this Cuban has and the passion he has not only for baseball, but place, actually a pretty good one, and, I don't know, for life is genuine. And I really wish him the best but

Rev #2 by #178 at 2018-10-22 18:57:00 GMT page 1 of 4 this week and a half, you know, hopefully we can finish been ten years since they got back. Do you on top. appreciate more how hard it is to get here and the rare opportunity of a World Series? The second Q. You said you were going to discuss your part, do you appreciate it differently on the bench pitching last night. Have you arrived at any than maybe you did as a player? decisions beyond Game 1? ALEX CORA: To get to this point it's hard. We have ALEX CORA: Yeah: David is pitching Game 2. David plenty of opportunities, but I only made it once in '07. is pitching Game 2, and as you know 3 and 4, we'll see In '08 we lost in Game 7. But it's tough. It's really where we're at. tough. You start this journey in February in , and you talk about it and all the details and all Q. How did Steven come through and what's his the stuff that you have to go through, and then you status now? have to play 162. And then if you make it, now you ALEX CORA: He was okay. He's moving well. We're have two rounds before you make it to the World going to meet after the workout today to make the Series. decision and to see where we're at roster-wise. And we'll announce it tomorrow. And I know those guys in that clubhouse they're very excited to be back, some of them. Like David and Q. You've covered a lot of things as player, Pedey, although he's not playing, he's loving it. Guys broadcaster, , now manager, your outfield, is like Mitch and Ian. Everybody knows what happened that the best defensive outfield you've seen? And with them against the Cardinals. And Xander, he what does it mean to have one for a team, a thought he was going to be in the World Series all the manager, that is as good as yours? time after '13, and it doesn't work that way. Devers last ALEX CORA: I do feel they're the best. Not only their year, thought, yeah, we're almost there, and it doesn't range, when they hit the ball in the air and it stays in work that way. It takes a lot of work. And we're very the ballpark, they're going to catch it, but the details. happy that we're here. We're loving it. We talk about Game 4, everybody talks about the ball that Altuve hit, but there were two plays by Mookie that For me, this is tough. Being a manager and trying to I do feel changed the game. There was a fly ball with a navigate a season and get them to this point, and try to man at second, he gets behind the ball and makes the put them in positions to be successful, it's not that throw to third base, Altuve doesn't advance. Then easy. It's not that easy. To deal with those guys in the there was a double by , with Gonzalez at clubhouse is a challenge, a challenge that I love. I love first base, with Marwin and he doesn't score. And doing it. But the other day I sat down I was like, whew, that's what they do. we made it. Especially here. We knew about the division and record-setting season and all that stuff, but There was a ball hit by Gurriel in Game 5 in the left- in this town everything started after October. And center gap and Jackie got to it, and kept Yuli at first we're glad that we're here. I'm happy to lead this group base. And those are the things they do. It's not only of men and we're ready for the challenge. diving plays or running catches in the gap, it's the little things. And it means a lot in an era that a lot of people Q. With that in mind, Tito was your manager, are hitting fly balls, and it's good to have those three. obviously, in '07. I'm curious, and he had a path kind of similar to yours, I think, safe to say. What I read something before that in the playoffs that when did you learn from Tito and has he reached out to the three are together our record is like unreal, we're you in some form or another now that you're here? playing .750 baseball. Obviously they're not going to ALEX CORA: No, he hasn't reached out. He's been be together in LA, at least to start the game. It's saying all along he likes his guys to be themselves. He always good to have them. texted me I think right after the regular season, and that's about it. But I know he's pulling for us, for Dave Beni, he's been great. He made that play against Alex and for myself. So win/win situation for Tito. in Game 4. The way he plays the wall, getting rid of the ball, he's been good. And the three together, One thing I learned, and I mentioned it yesterday, he they're a force. And they're a huge part of what we're wanted everybody to be ready. , only one trying to accomplish. swing in the World Series, and he changed the game in Game 4. I only saw two pitches in the World Series. I Q. You played seven, eight years before getting to took one and I bunted the next one. Got to the World Series, and now you've been back two scored, he stole third, and he scored on a sac fly. years as a coach and a manager. You've got Price and Pedroia, who got there as rookies, and it's It's a total team effort. You never know who is going to

Rev #2 by #178 at 2018-10-22 18:57:00 GMT page 2 of 4 step up to the plate or going to be on the mound or strike zone with that fastball. Okay slider. He went to going to be playing defense that can be the hero. Dave Triple-A; he did an outstanding job. And we called him Roberts in '04. He came here, he stole that base up. against the Yankees, and the rest is history. And now he comes here and he makes a lot of money signing I don't know if you know the story about he came in, it autographs (laughter). I know he puts "The greatest was a 4-0 game in the 9th and I got Porcello, Sale and stolen base in the history of the game." He makes a lot David in the dugout. And I went to them and said, I of money in an hour. Probably he's making money know you guys don't know who he is, because in right now (laughter). Spring Training they don't stay all the way through ninth inning, but this guy is good. They're looking at me, like, That's what it's all about. Not everybody gets a chance okay, right. First pitch 98 and they were going nuts in to play in October. Not everybody gets a chance to the dugout. It was cool to see. play in the World Series, and there's a lot of great players that don't have a World Series ring. It doesn't His fastball plays up in the zone. His sinker, he mean that their careers were bad careers, but that ring induces weak contact. His split is good. He's been means a lot, and that's something Tito always amazing for us. We're very proud of him. It's one of mentioned, just be ready, when your name is called, be those stories that we should talk about it. There's a lot ready to play. of guys that they have surgery or they struggle early in their careers and there's always a second chance, you Q. The pictures on the wall in your office, how do know. He got his going through Japan. But others you pick which one from each game? they do it through winter ball or to the Mexican League ALEX CORA: I don't pick them. or independent baseball, Rich Hill, for example. Somebody is going to give you a shot, be ready for it. Q. You don't pick them? And now he's a big part of what we want to ALEX CORA: No. I make sure we take pictures after accomplish. we clean stuff and all that. Q. When you and Dave were together in LA and Q. Do you have room for four more? Have you you guys would sit and talk before and after thought about what you're going to do at the end of games, who might be a manager in that clubhouse, the season, leave them up or start over next year? was it you, was it him, was it somebody else and ALEX CORA: Yeah, we do. We do have room for four. why? ALEX CORA: That conversation never took place. I I talk about it during the season, and the plan is to get wasn't sure that he wanted to do the coaching thing. them down and next year for we're And when he got the job with the Padres, I think it was, going to auction them. I know we're going to make a okay, that's cool, look at DR. But he lives in San Diego, lot of money for that, and it's for the right reason and living the good life over there. Why not work there with that's what we're going to do. There's other stuff that I the Padres. And little by little you could see it. He want to do with the pictures, like I have other ideas, but became I think the bench coach for them and he did an we'll get to that hopefully when we win four games. outstanding job.

But it's cool, man. That wall, you start looking around, And when the interview process took place -- actually it's like, wow, that game and that game and that game we talked, we talked about it and he asked me about is powerful, to say the least. being part of the coaching staff. And I was like, "No, I'm good where I'm at right now," because of the Q. has had a real nice season for you situation with ESPN, only working 70 days a year and and been real good in the postseason. When did being able to fly back to . My daughter, she you first realize he could be a weapon? And what was growing up and I wanted to be part of it. So all of did he show you after that rocky first game against a sudden he shocked the world. Nobody thought he the Yankees to stay with him? was going to get that job, and he's done an outstanding ALEX CORA: So we had a split squad in Spring job. Training. And the second game was at the Twins' complex and we invite him over, because we needed He was always very passionate about the game. But I innings. He pitched I think the 7th or 8th inning, and all never thought that's what he wanted. I guess probably of a sudden you look up and it's 98. We kept bringing he felt that I wanted to be a manager. I don't know. him back and back and back. He actually became our closer in Spring Training, if you had that, you know? Q. How did the events of July 30th and 31st of He pitched well. A lot of swings and misses in the 2004, when not only Dave was traded but some

Rev #2 by #178 at 2018-10-22 18:57:00 GMT page 3 of 4 other guys, impacted how you handled the clubhouse? That was a bit of clubhouse turmoil. ALEX CORA: You think it was? I still remember with him he was crushed. That was a good baseball team. And they decided to make a few moves, to say the least. And he was part of it. I remember, I told him, I said, "Hey, man, you're going to a great city. They have a chance to do something special. You never know." And all of a sudden he's signing for a lot of money here.

But, yeah, those experiences help. And last year, too. We went through it in Houston. And it's not that we went through it here but at that level, people stay the course and they didn't talk to the media about it or whatever, but you have to deal with stuff like that, trades and releasing guys and sending people down and being around Tito, , Jerry Manuel, so on and so on. I learned from them and it really helped.

Q. These guys have a lot of lefty starters, obviously. How will that affect Mitch and Raphy? And also do you plan on keeping Sandy with Chris in Game 1? ALEX CORA: Sandy is catching tomorrow. The other stuff we'll talk about it. We're going with the best lineup that we feel matches up with their pitchers.

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