RetroSimba

Alex Cora appealed to the Cardinals as a potential player-coach in Mike Matheny’s first season as manager.

On Feb. 7, 2012, Cora signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals, who invited him to spring training to compete for a spot on their Opening Day roster.

The defending World Series champions were seeking an experienced utility infielder, and Cora’s resume met the requirements. He also was interested in transitioning into a coaching role, and the Cardinals thought he could begin to hone those skills by mentoring their young infielders, including Matt Carpenter.

As it turned out, the Cardinals released Cora, 36, before the start of the regular season, bringing an end to his playing days but opening a multitude of new paths, both rewarding and treacherous, in his baseball career.

Learning to lead

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Alex Cora was 11 when his brother, second baseman Joey Cora, 21, made his debut in the majors with the Padres in 1987. Joey played 11 years in the majors with the Padres, White Sox, Mariners and Indians before becoming a big-league coach.

During Joey’s time as a White Sox player (1991-94), he introduced a teen-age Alex to Hall of Fame shortstop Luis Aparicio, and the team’s shortstop then, Ozzie Guillen. Aparicio and Guillen became role models, Alex told the Boston Globe.

Alex enrolled at the University of Miami and helped the baseball team reach the College World Series three times.

Regarding Cora’s college career, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe noted, “He wasn’t a standout athlete or a great hitter, yet he proved a difference-maker on the field, someone whose game awareness produced outs on defense as well as timely hits in the batter’s box.

“Cora projected a confidence that spread to teammates and defined him as a leader _ someone who was unafraid to communicate with teammates in both English and Spanish _ by the time he was a sophomore, a stature that continued to grow as a junior.”

Making the majors

Alex began his professional career with the Dodgers, who chose him in the third round of the 1996 amateur baseball draft.

On June 7, 1998, when Alex made his big-league debut for the Dodgers, it came in Seattle against the Mariners, whose second baseman was his brother, Joey. Boxscore

Alex had stints as the Dodgers’ starter at shortstop (2000-01) and at second base (2003-04). He played against the Cardinals in the 2004 National League Division Series.

Granted free agency in December 2004, Alex was pursued by the Cardinals, who needed a second baseman after Tony Womack departed for the Yankees, but they lost interest when Alex sought a multiyear contract. The Cardinals instead went with Mark Grudzielanek, and Alex signed with the Indians.

The Indians, who had Ronnie Belliard at second and Jhonny Peralta at shortstop, traded Alex to the Red Sox in July 2005. Playing for manager Terry Francona, Alex excelled in a utility role and was a member of the Red Sox’s World Series championship team in 2007. Francona told Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe, “He was tremendous. He was a manager-in-waiting.”

After four years (2005-08) with the Red Sox, Alex played for the Mets (2009-10), Rangers (2010) and Nationals (2011). In 2009, he also played for the Puerto Rican team managed by the Cardinals’ Jose Oquendo in the World Baseball Classic.

Short stay

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Cora had considered retiring to start a career in coaching,” but when the Cardinals made him an offer in February 2012, he couldn’t refuse.

Alex, who played all four infield positions, seemed an ideal fit for the Cardinals. General manager John Mozeliak said Alex also would provide “an on-field coach” during spring training.

Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch noted, “Cora is highly regarded within the game for his instincts, and the Cardinals see him as help for some of the less experienced infielders.”

That group included Matt Carpenter, Daniel Descalso and Tyler Greene.

The 2012 Cardinals shared a spring training facility with the Marlins in Jupiter, Fla. While Alex was making a bid for a roster spot with the Cardinals, his brother Joey was serving as a coach on the staff of Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen.

The brothers took advantage of the chance to connect in their spare time.

Alex told the Miami Herald, “It’s been great being able to sit down together and just have dinner. Our father died in 1988. When you lose your dad when you’re a young kid, your big brother becomes everything for you. This is the most time we’ve been able to spend together since we were kids in Puerto Rico.”

The Post-Dispatch described it as “something of a surprise” when the Cardinals released Alex on March 25.

With Skip Schumaker on the disabled list because of a rib injury, Daniel Descalso opened the 2012 season as the Cardinals’ second baseman, and Matt Carpenter and Tyler Greene were the reserve infielders.

Success and shame

For the next five years (2012-16), Alex was general manager of a team in the Puerto Rican winter league. He also managed the team for two seasons and did TV work for ESPN.

In 2017, Alex was bench coach on the staff of Astros manager A.J. Hinch. The Astros won their first World Series title that year.

Hired by the Red Sox to be their manager, Alex led them to the 2018 World Series championship.

After the 2019 season, it was revealed that the 2017 Astros and 2018 Red Sox used technology to steal the signs relayed to players by opposing teams.

For his role in the scandal, Alex was suspended for the 2020 season by baseball commissioner Rob Manfred. When the suspension ended, the Red Sox rehired him as manager. “I am sorry for the harm my past actions have caused,” Alex said.