The Boston Red Sox made the swift decision in firing manager Alex Cora of Caguas, Puerto Rico on Tuesday according to the Associated Press. The decision came one day after it was announced that he was not only involved, but was among those who “originated and executed” the technological scheme where a camera was placed in the centerfield of Houston’s Minute Maid Park, so the Astros could decode the opposing catcher’s signals.
According to WBUR Radio in Boston, Cora helped the Astros video technician install a monitor between the team’s dugout and clubhouse in 2017. On the monitor, players went to study the catchers’ signs and then return to the dugout during games. If they expected an off speed pitch to come from the pitcher, they would then bang a trash can.
The success that Cora has had in recent years is significant. He was the bench coach with the Astros when they won the World Series in 2017, and then won the World Series as the manager of the Boston Red Sox in 2018. However last season, the Red Sox did not meet expectations with Cora at the helm as they only had a record of 84 wins and 78 losses and were 19 games back of the New York Yankees in the American League East.
Stealing signs in baseball is nothing new. You see it all the time. However, it is completely against the rules in Major League Baseball to use technology to steal signs. The Red Sox were fined back in 2017 for using an Apple watch to steal signals and signs. At the end of the season, the Red Sox fired John Farrell as their manager even though Boston had made the postseason. It should be made clear however it is not known if the Apple watch incident was related to the firing.
