Red Sox Ask Fans To 'Reserve Judgement' In Cheating Scandal

The Red Sox said it was an "easy" and "mutual" decision to part ways with manager Alex Cora one day after he left the franchise while awaiting what is expected to be heavy-handed punishment from Major League Baseball for his role in two cheating scandals.

"Ultimately it was an easy decision," Red Sox President Sam Kennedy said at a press conference Wednesday at Fenway Park. Kennedy was joined by owner John Henry, Larry Lucchino and General Manager Chaim Bloom.

Kennedy also said the decision to break with Cora was related "exclusively" to the 2017 scandal in Houston that cost the Astros their manager and general manager, not the one under investigation regarding the Red Sox.

The executives had nothing but kind things to say about Cora, who brought them a World Series championship in 2018 — a title now under suspicion, though fans were asked to withhold judgement until MLB completed its investigation.

"Since joining the Red Sox Alex Cora has been one of the many who we work with that has consistently put the organization ahead of his own interest," Henry said.

Bloom said he doesn't know who will succeed Cora as manager.

The Red Sox said Tuesday evening they agreed to "part ways" with Cora, having determined "it would not be possible for Alex to effectively lead the club going forward."

Cora said in a statement released by the team he did "not want to be a distraction to the Red Sox as they move forward. My two years as manager were the best years of my life. It was an honor to manage these teams and help bring a World Series Championship back to Boston."

Cora was identified Monday by MLB Commissioner Manfred as a ringleader of Houston's sign-stealing scheme during their 2017 World Series championship run, when he was the bench coach.

Manfred said he won't announce Cora's discipline until MLB finishes investigating Boston's similar scheme during the Red Sox 2018 title run. Cora is expected to receive what has been reported to be a "harsh" punishment, including what could be a multiple-year ban from baseball.

Manfred earlier this week suspended Astros manager AJ Hinch and General Manager Jeff Lunhow for one year. Astros owner Jim Crane fired both shortly after.

Houston was also fined $5 million and lost first- and second-round draft picks in 2020 and 2021.

It's unclear if Boston will be punished. General Manager Dave Dombrowski was already fired at the end of the season, though he could also still receive discipline.

Houston identified the opposing teams' pitching signs and relaying it to the batters by banging on drums.

In announcing Houston's punishments, Manfred said Cora "involved in developing both the banging scheme and utilizing the replay review room to decode and transmit signs. Cora participated in both schemes, and through his active participation, implicitly condoned the players' conduct."

The Red Sox are accused of doing something similar, decoding the opposing teams' signs in the video replay room and relaying them to players, who once they reached second base could transmit them to the batter.