Alex Cora, who never traded Mookie Betts, did not lowball Alex Bregman and won a World Series championship as Boston Red Sox manager, was fired by the club Saturday, April 25, the club announced.
Chad Tracy, the manager at Class AAA Worcester, will serve as interim manager.
Cora, 50, was 619-541 in eight seasons as Red Sox manager, sitting out one season in 2020 due to his role as bench coach during the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal. He led the club to 108 victories and then the World Series title in his first season in 2018, and in 2024, his contract was extended through 2027.
Yet even after Saturday's 17-1 victory at Baltimore, the Red Sox are off to a 10-17 start, although most of their woes can be tied to an anemic offense that lost Bregman to free agency, traded slugger Rafael Devers one year ago and is trying to make do with rookies like second baseman Marcelo Mayer and 5-foot-6 third baseman Caleb Durbin.
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates' Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
The Pittsburgh Pirates' Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.
Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the launch of NASA's Artemis II is shown on the center-field video board at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2026.
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
1 / 21Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB seasonThe Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.1 / 21Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB seasonThe Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.2 / 21Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB seasonCleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.3 / 21Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB seasonWashington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates' Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.4 / 21Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB seasonMilwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
The Pittsburgh Pirates' Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.
Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the launch of NASA's Artemis II is shown on the center-field video board at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2026.
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
Alas, Cora, hitting coach Peter Fatse, third base coach Kyle Hudson, bench coach Ramón Vázquez, assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson, and Major League hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin were let go. Game planning coach Jason Varitek, a two-time World Series champion as a catcher, has been reassigned in the organization.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alex Cora fired by Boston Red Sox after 10-17 start to 2026 season