When Chad Tracy stepped in as the Boston Red Sox’ interim manager, it seemed to close the book on Alex Cora’s time in Beantown. Tracy says it didn’t—because he and Cora still talk, and Cora has offered him continued support.
When news broke that Chad Tracy would step in as the new interim manager of the Boston Red Sox, it all but closed the chapter on Alex Cora’s era in Beantown baseball. Except, as Tracy tells it, the relationship didn’t snap cleanly.
Speaking with The Athletic about his early run with the Red Sox and taking over for Cora. Tracy said he still has a strong relationship with the former skipper. “Alex has been incredible to me,” Tracy said. “The details of it, I’ll leave out. But we’ve talked a handful of times, and he has expressed nothing but support for me. It doesn’t surprise me. He’s an amazing human being.”.
Tracy’s father. Jim Tracy—who previously managed the Pittsburgh Pirates—also offered his own take on how Cora treated his son. Jim said he would always be grateful. “Alex Cora was extremely influential on a couple of real good Dodger teams that I managed,” Jim Tracy said. “And prior to Chad’s situation developing there in Boston. I have to tell you this: Alex Cora treated my son like royalty.”.
Jim Tracy continued. adding that if Chad needed another opinion beyond his father’s. he wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to Cora. “I am forever grateful for that. And you know the other thing?. If Chad needs another opinion besides dad’s. he wouldn’t be the least bit shy about calling Alex Cora because that’s the kind of relationship that they maintain with one another. I think it’s so special.”.
The timing alone makes Tracy’s candor feel striking: he is 46 years old. taking on the kind of first-time managerial challenge where most conversations are about the next day. the next decision. the next game. Instead, Tracy describes still speaking with the man he replaced. If Cora is willing to talk. Tracy appears eager to listen and learn—an asset that carries weight when the role is new and the spotlight is immediate.
The sequence of facts is straightforward. Tracy replaces Cora on an interim basis. He then confirms he and Cora have still talked “a handful of times. ” and he says that Cora has offered “nothing but support.” His father adds that Cora treated Chad “like royalty. ” framing the relationship as one that lasts beyond any title or transition.
Chad Tracy Alex Cora Boston Red Sox interim manager Jim Tracy Pittsburgh Pirates Los Angeles Dodgers MLB news