Alex Cora out as Red Sox manager as they ‘mutually agreed to part ways’

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox and manager Alex Cora have “mutually agreed to part ways,” according to an official release from the team on Tuesday evening.

Cora’s dismissal comes one day after MLB released the findings of their investigation into the Houston Astros sign-stealing controversy in the 2017 season that culminated in the Astros’ World Series title. Before being hired as the Red Sox’ manager in the 2018 offseason, Cora was the bench coach for the Astros.

Cora was not punished by the league because MLB decided to release his discipline after they had conducted an investigation into allegations that the Red Sox were electronically stealing signs during their 2018 regular season.

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Astros’ Manager AJ Hinch and General Manager Jeff Luhnow were both relieved of their duties with Houston shortly after MLB levied year-long suspensions to the pair.

Cora thanked the Red Sox, from the ownership group to the players, along with his family in the statement that the team released to the public.

“I want to thank John, Tom, Sam, the players, our coaching staff and the entire Red Sox organization," he said. "I especially want to thank my family for their love and support.

"We agreed today that parting ways was the best thing for the organization. I do 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. I will forever be indebted to the organization and the fans who supported me as a player, a manager and in my efforts to help Puerto Rico. This is a special place. There is nothing like it in all of baseball, and I will miss it dearly.”

“Cora was involved in developing both the banging scheme and utilizing the replay review room to decode and transmit signs,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred wrote in a 9-page statement on the Houston findings. “Cora participated in both schemes, and through his active participation, implicitly condoned the players’ conduct.”

In the report on the 2017 Astros, Manfred mentioned Cora’s role in the scheme early on. Early in the season, Cora allegedly began calling Houston’s replay room for information on the opponents’ sign sequence.

Two months into the season, Cora allegedly had a monitor installed, “immediately outside of the Astros’ dugout,” that showed the feed from the centerfield camera. That camera was allowed under MLB rules at the time, but only if it was being used for what the league called, “player-development purposes.”

The MLB claims that no “non-player-staff,” was involved in the sign-stealing scheme by Houston, except for Cora.

The Red Sox bench coach is Ron Roenicke.

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Read the full findings from MLB regarding the Houston Astros sign-stealing controversy and Alex Cora’s reported role in it:

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