Chad Tracy is setting the record straight about who's really calling the shots in the Red Sox dugout. Since stepping in for Alex Cora nearly two weeks ago, the interim manager has led Boston to a 6-4 record—a stark improvement after the team stumbled to a 10-17 start under Cora. But with Tracy managing in the big leagues for the first time, whispers have circulated about how much control he actually has.

During a phone interview with WEEI on Wednesday, Tracy firmly dismissed the rumors. "I have autonomy over those," he said, referring to lineup decisions and in-game strategy. "The final pen-to-paper on what we're gonna do is my call. Not one time has Bres walked in here and said, 'You're gonna do this.' If that's the perception, that's completely false."

Tracy, who previously managed Boston's Triple-A affiliate in Worcester, emphasized that while he has the final say—just like Cora did—he relies on a collaborative approach. He regularly consults with interim bench coach Jose Flores, pitching coach Andrew Bailey, and Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow to prepare for games. "We all talk," Tracy added. "If you just sit in the chair and make every single decision on your own, you're not using the really smart, intelligent people around you. That's not the best way to go about it."

So far, Tracy's method is paying off. By blending his own instincts with the insights of his coaching staff, he's helping the Red Sox find their footing. For a team that needed a spark, Tracy's steady hand—and his willingness to lean on those around him—might just be the backbone of this stunning turnaround.