ALEX CORA

Shohei Ohtani did things during 2021 that almost nobody alive had ever seen in sports.

The Boston Red Sox have picked up Alex Cora’s option for two more seasons.

Boston's bats went quiet for the third straight game and the Red Sox bowed out of the AL Championship Series with a punchless 5-0 loss to the Houston Astros in Game 6.

Rookie Luis García showed the poise of an October ace, MVP Yordan Alvarez stayed hot at the plate and the Houston Astros earned yet another trip to the World Series, beating the Boston Red Sox 5-0 in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series.

Nathan Eovaldi wants the ball with the chance to extend the Red Sox's season.

Framber Valdez gave the Houston Astros the start they were looking for.

In a postseason already marked by curious pitching strategy, Julio Urías returns to his regular role in the rotation when the Los Angeles Dodgers play Atlanta in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series.

Once again, in a key spot in October, the Boston Red Sox summoned Nathan Eovaldi from the bullpen in a tight game.

ALCS Astros Red Sox Baseball Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez gestures to the Houston Astros during the seventh inning in Game 3 of baseball's American League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, in Boston. Boston manager Alex Cora chastised his pitcher and said, “We don't do that.” Rodriguez said he would apologize to Correa if he saw him. But Correa said he “loved every single bit of it.”“It’s just the way baseball should trend, moving forward,” Correa said. I try to get on him about, ‘act like you have been there before.’ But, nobody seems to matter. “It’s too late for me to change the world.”___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Dusty Baker is happy to stay out of the latest kerfuffle over players showing up each other on the field.

Kyle Schwarber's grand slam helped the Red Sox rout the Houston Astros 12-3 take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven AL Championship Series.

The Boston Red Sox became the first team to slug two grand slams in a postseason game, with J.

For the second time in four seasons, the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros are set to play for the American League pennant.

ALCS Red Sox Astros Baseball Grounds crew personnel apply the final touches to a postseason field logo at Minute Maid Park before baseball practice in Houston, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. The Houston Astros host the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Friday. That came one year after the Astros downed the Red Sox 3-1 in a Division Series en route to their only World Series crown. Boston manager Alex Cora was the bench coach for that championship Houston club before guiding the Red Sox to their 2018 title. Cora was then rehired by the Red Sox in November.

ALCS Red Sox Astros Baseball Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora smiles as he responds to questions during a news conference before baseball practice in Houston, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. The Red Sox play the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Friday. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) (Tony Gutierrez)HOUSTON — (AP) — Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora was already counting on a rematch with his former team even before the Houston Astros advanced to their fifth straight AL Championship Series. The Astros assured their place the next day, closing out the White Sox i Game 4 of the Division Series. He was let go by the Red Sox following Major League Baseball’s investigation into Houston’s sign-stealing scheme, then suspended by MLB through the 2020 postseason before getting rehired in Boston last November.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora will look to take down his former team in the AL Championship Series for the second time in four years after beating the Houston Astros on the way to a World Series title in 2018.

Sooner than many baseball fans wanted, maybe, but the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers will meet in a winner-take-all Game 5 of the NL Division Series at Oracle Park.

The Boston Red Sox have been celebrating home runs by giving the hitter a ride through the dugout in a laundry cart.

Jose Altuve hit a three-run homer and scored four times, and the Houston Astros eliminated the Chicago White Sox with a 10-1 victory in Game 4 of their AL Division Series.

Kiké Hernandez delivered Boston’s second straight walk-off win, scoring pinch-runner Danny Santana with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to send the Red Sox to the AL Championship Series with a 6-5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Astros are facing renewed suspicions over sign stealing two years after being punished by the league for a scandal during their 2017 World Series run.

ALDS Rays Red Sox Baseball Vendor Patricia Almquist, of North Oxford, Mass., sells souvenirs outside Fenway Park before game 3 of a baseball American League Division Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Boston. The Red Sox traditionally play on the April date of the marathon. They’ll be in action this time, too, with higher stakes -- Game 4 of the AL Division Series against Tampa Bay. A day after winning a wild one, helped by a bizarre bounce, the wild-card Red Sox look to close out the Rays at Fenway. “That’s like the highlight of the year,” Cora said before Game 3 of the AL Division Series against the Rays.

Boston fans hope to enjoy plenty of runners -- and runs -- on a big sports Monday in town.

For runners in this year's Boston Marathon, it all starts before race day and 26.2 miles away from Main Street in Hopkinton.

The sure sign for Red Sox manager Alex Cora that things are getting serious in the baseball playoffs: He got a text from Patriots coach Bill Belichick wishing him luck. “That’s like the highlight of the year,” Cora gushed before Game 3 of the AL Division Series against Tampa Bay on Sunday. Cora said Belichick reached out before Tuesday’s wild-card victory over the New York Yankees, and texted again after.

J.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have dismissed third base coach Joey Cora after five seasons at the post. The Pirates announced the move Saturday, less than a week after they finished 61-101 and last in the NL Central. “We would like to thank Joey for his passion for the job and his commitment in continuously helping our players grow as big leaguers,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said.

Randy Arozarena became the first player to hit a home run and steal home in a postseason game, and rookie Shane McClanahan pitched the Tampa Bay Rays past the Boston Red Sox 5-0 in their AL Division Series opener.

NLDS Dodgers Giants Baseball The San Francisco Giants work out Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, in San Francisco for the baseball team's National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which starts Friday. They were about as even as you can get meeting head-to-head this year: the Giants won the season series 10-9, while the Dodgers outscored San Francisco 80-78. Los Angeles will counter with right-hander Walker Buehler, a 16-game winner over 33 starts who went 3-1 against San Francisco this year. Giolito put together a strong finish to the regular season, going 2-0 with a 2.39 ERA in his last seven starts. Framber Valdez starts Game 2 for Houston.

The 107-win Giants and 106-win Dodgers are ready to throw out all those wins and settle their season-long clash with a best-of-five NL Division Series in San Francisco.

The Tampa Bay Rays have won more games than any other team in the American League over the past two seasons, going about their business with a quiet confidence that has the full attention of the Boston Red Sox.

The 106-win Los Angeles Dodgers put their season on the line in the NL wild-card game against the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals.

Yankees Red Sox Baseball New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone, right, greets Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora before an American League Wild Card baseball game at Fenway Park, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa)BOSTON — (AP) — The Yankees brought a lucky charm with them to Fenway Park — a scrappy former shortstop they hoped was Boston kryptonite. Right behind home plate in view of any Red Sox pitcher who took the mound. “And for me growing up in the game and a fan of the game, I knew who Bucky Dent was, you know, playing in the ’70s and ’80s. Maybe for the 'stripers.”Asked what kind of reception he was getting in his return to Boston, Dent just laughed.

Designated hitter J.

The Red Sox and Yankees resume their rivalry in the playoffs in Tuesday night's AL wild-card game.

Every year, the day after the regular season can be dicey for managers whose teams didn’t do so well.

The pairings for the baseball playoffs are all set.

Red Sox Nationals Baseball Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale, left, is pulled from the game by manager Alex Cora, right, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Washington. The Red Sox and Yankees entered the day tied at 91-70, one game ahead of both the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. Boston won the series series from the Yankees 10-9. ET, but the simplest was this: If the Red Sox beat the Nationals, who entered the game last in the NL East, Fenway Park would be the site of the AL wild-card game, no matter what else happened Sunday. TRAINER’S ROOMRed Sox: Martinez is usually a designated hitter but was playing right field in an NL park.

The Boston Red Sox have clinched a playoff berth on the regular season’s final day and will host the New York Yankees in the AL wild-card game after coming back to beat the Washington Nationals 7-5 on a tiebreaking two-run homer by Rafael Devers in the ninth inning.

Christian Vázquez tripled home the tiebreaking run in the ninth inning and the Boston Red Sox moved to the brink of a postseason berth with a 5-3 win over the Washington Nationals.

Giancarlo Stanton hit a go-ahead grand slam over the Green Monster in the eighth inning and the New York Yankees beat Boston 5-3 to tie the Red Sox for the top spot in the AL wild-card race.

Rays Red Sox Baseball Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale delivers against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) (Winslow Townson)CHICAGO — (AP) — Boston ace Chris Sale has tested positive for COVID-19 again, sidelining the left-hander while the Red Sox fight for positioning in the crowded AL playoff picture. Sale had been scheduled to start Sunday in Chicago against the AL Central-leading White Sox. The Red Sox also placed infielder Jonathan Araúz on the COVID-19 list, and lefty Austin Davis went on paternity leave. Any prolonged absence for the lefty would be a big blow for the Red Sox, who entered Friday with a one-game lead over the New York Yankees for the AL's top wild-card spot.

Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss his next start.

Nelson Cruz homered twice and, at 41 years old, became the oldest player in major league history to hit 30 home runs in a season, powering the Tampa Bay Rays past the Boston Red Sox 12-7.

Austin Meadows hit a tying, inside-the-park homer in the ninth inning, Nelson Cruz had a go-ahead single in the 10th and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied from a six-run deficit to beat the Boston Red Sox 11-10.

Franmil Reyes homered over the Green Monster to spark a three-run third inning _ Cleveland’s franchise-record tying 19th straight game with a home run _ and the Indians salvaged the finale of the series with an 11-5 victory over the COVID-impacted Boston Red Sox.

Red Sox Rays Baseball Boston Red Sox's Nick Pivetta pitches to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara)BOSTON — (AP) — The Boston Red Sox scratched Nick Pivetta on Sunday and placed the right-hander on the COVID-19 injured list. The Red Sox also added infielder/outfielder Danny Santana to the list about 30 minutes before the first pitch against Cleveland. “You have to be patient,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of the situation, explaining how the Yankees and his close friend, manager Aaron Boone, handled it earlier this season. With the Red Sox looking to secure a playoff spot, Cora knows there is no time to relax. The Red Sox entered play Sunday a half-game behind the Yankees for the AL’s first wild-card spot and four games ahead of Oakland for the second berth.

Red Sox Rays Baseball Boston Red Sox's Nick Pivetta pitches to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara)BOSTON — (AP) — The Boston Red Sox scratched Nick Pivetta on Sunday and placed the right-hander on the COVID-19 injured list. “You have to be patient,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of the situation, explaining how the Yankees and his close friend, manager Aaron Boone, handled it earlier this season. With the Red Sox looking to secure a playoff spot, Cora knows there is no time to relax. The right-hander will start the series finale against the Indians in his major league debut. The Red Sox entered play Sunday a half-game behind the Yankees for the AL’s first wild-card spot and four games ahead of Oakland for the second berth.

The Boston Red Sox have scratched Nick Pivetta and placed the right-hander on the COVID-19 injured list.

BOSTON — (AP) — The Boston Red Sox placed outfielder Jarren Duran on the COVID-19-related injured list Friday, bringing the team’s total to nine players added to the list in a span of a week. The Red Sox announced the move before Friday night’s home game against the Cleveland Indians. Manager Alex Cora said earlier Friday that Duran wasn’t feeling well and would not be with the team as he underwent testing. The club announced a few hours later that Duran had been added to the list, which has been growing since Boston placed infielders Kiké Hernández and Christian Arroyo on it Aug. 27. Pitchers Martín Pérez, Matt Barnes, Josh Taylor and Hirokazu Sawamura and infielder Yairo Muñoz were also placed on the list this week.

Boston Red Sox star shortstop Xander Bogaerts has tested positive for COVID-19 and been pulled from a game at Tampa Bay.

Mets fans get their say after it was revealed stars Francisco Lindor and Javier Báez were among the New York players making derogatory hand gestures at Citi Field crowds.

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:___NEGATIVE NEWSRed Sox infielder Kiké Hernández tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday and will be sidelined indefinitely. He’ll be placed on the COVID-19 list along with second baseman Christian Arroyo, who had close contact with Hernández. WEBB GEMSGiants right-hander Logan Webb takes a 12-start unbeaten streak into an outing against Atlanta in a showdown of division leaders. His best year was 2017, when he hit .303 with 23 homers and 90 RBIs as the scandal-tained Astros won the World Series. His most famous victory came in the clinching Game 5 of the 1969 World Series against Baltimore that gave the Miracle Mets their first championship.

Red Sox infielder Kiké Hernández tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday and will be sidelined indefinitely.

Travis Shaw hit a game-ending grand slam in the 11th inning, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Texas Rangers 8-4.

Bolstered by Chris Sale’s first major league appearance in just over two years, the Boston Red Sox hit five homers while pounding Baltimore 16-2, handing the Orioles their 10th straight loss.

Bobby Dalbec drove in a career-high five runs, Xander Bogaerts and Hunter Renfroe each had four RBIs and the Boston Red Sox routed the Tampa Bay Rays 20-8.

Tampa Bay’s Francisco Mejía singled with the bases loaded in the ninth, Boston’s Hunter Renfroe made a costly error on the play, and it helped the Rays rally past the Red Sox 8-4 on Tuesday night.

Mookie Betts, Max Muncy and the World Series champion Dodgers have been hitting on almost all cylinders this season.

Angels Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers Tre Turner reacts as he fouls out during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Los Angeles. Los Angeles lost its 11th straight game in extras Friday night, falling to the Angels 4-3 at Dodger Stadium. This edition of the Freeway Series finishes up as Walker Buehler (11-2, 2.16 ERA) starts against Angels rookie Reid Detmers. His recent success has been boosted by his ability to keep the ball in the park -- he has allowed just one home run in his past seven starts. Zach Davies (6-8, 4.79) has won just one of his his last seven starts.

Red Sox Blue Jays Baseball Boston Red Sox's J.D. Martinez hits a home run during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex) (Joshua Bessex)TORONTO — (AP) — The Boston Red Sox put slugger J.D. Martinez on the COVID-19-related injured list Saturday, further weakening a struggling offense that has scored five runs or fewer in 13 straight games. Boston, which had lost seven of eight and fallen out of the AL East lead, put rookie outfielder Jarren Duran on the COVID-19-related injured list Friday. To replace Martinez, the Red Sox recalled catcher Connor Wong from Triple-A Worcester.

The Boston Red Sox have put slugger J.

Angels Twins Baseball Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani (17) waits on deck to bat against the Minnesota Twins in the eighth inning where he drew an intentional walk. Shohei Ohtani has done it all this season, from leading the majors in home runs to throwing 100 mph heat while starting the All-Star Game. Ohtani (4-1, 3.21 ERA) will be starting with an extra day of rest when Los Angeles hosts Colorado. Ohtani hit his 35th home run Sunday in a win at Minnesota. He’s coming off a sharp start in which he pitched six shutout innings of three-hit ball, striking out eight at Oakland.

Shohei Ohtani has done it all this season, from leading the majors in home runs to throwing 100 mph heat while starting the All-Star Game.

Yankees Red Sox Baseball New York Yankees' Domingo German delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Boston. The Red Sox reclaimed first place in the AL East, a game ahead of Tampa Bay. Red Sox: Manager Alex Cora said he’s planning on LHP Eduardo Rodriguez, who left his last start with migraine symptoms, to make his next scheduled start Thursday. Red Sox: RHP Nick Pivetta (8-4, 4.37 ERA) is slated to go Monday night in Fenway Park when Boston begins a four-game series against Toronto. Pivetta benefited from six homers by the Red Sox last Monday in Buffalo when Boston beat the Blue Jays, 13-4.

Held hitless into the eighth inning by Domingo Germán and looking feeble, Alex Verdugo and the Boston Red Sox suddenly erupted for five runs to shake Fenway Park and storm past the New York Yankees 5-4.

Rougned Odor’s two-run double highlighted a four-run rally in the eighth inning after his two errors helped Boston build an early lead, and the New York Yankees beat the Red Sox 4-3.

Catchers' signals could become a relic if an experimental electronic device is successful.

(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (Mary Altaffer)NEW YORK — (AP) — The fan who hit Boston Red Sox left fielder Alex Verdugo with a baseball thrown from the Yankee Stadium stands has been banned for life from attending big league games. The decision was confirmed Sunday by spokesmen for both the New York Yankees and Major League Baseball. Red Sox manager Alex Cora briefly pulled his team off the field in the sixth inning Saturday night after Verdugo was struck in the back by a ball thrown from the left-field seats. An angry Verdugo shouted at fans and was restrained by first-base coach Tom Goodwin as the game was held up in a driving rain. Verdugo returned to left field when play resumed following a discussion with umpires near Boston’s dugout.

Nick Pivetta and Josh Taylor combined to hold the Rays hitless through seven innings. Pivetta was pulled with a runner on second and two outs in the seventh after throwing 100 pitches. Austin Meadows reached with one out in the seventh when Red Sox first baseman Michael Chavis was charged with an error after misplaying a routine grounder. After Pivetta retired Yandy Díaz on a grounder, manager Alex Cora went to the mound to make a pitching change. Boston was trying to throw the seventh no-hitter in the majors this season.

Red Sox Rays Baseball Boston Red Sox's Nick Pivetta goes into his windup against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, June 24, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara)ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Boston Red Sox pitchers Nick Pivetta and Josh Taylor have combined on a no-hitter through seven innings against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night. Pivetta was pulled with a runner on second and two outs in the seventh after throwing 100 pitches in a scoreless game. Austin Meadows reached with one out in the seventh when Red Sox first baseman Michael Chavis was charged with an error after misplaying a routine grounder. Boston was trying to throw the seventh no-hitter in the majors this season. The Astros threw the most recent combined no-hitter in the majors, when Aaron Sanchez, Will Harris, Joe Biagini and Chris Devenski blanked Seattle on Aug. 3, 2019.

Marlins Red Sox Baseball Boston Red Sox's Christian Arroyo, left, reacts beside Miami Marlins' Jazz Chisholm Jr. after hitting a two-run single during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 7, 2021, in Boston. Alex Verdugo added an RBI double and two hits for the Red Sox, who were coming off their first three-game sweep at Yankee Stadium since June 2011. The Red Sox are a season-high 14 games over .500 at 37-23. Leading 2-1, the Red Sox scored three times, benefitting from two poorly thrown balls that led to the last run. Red Sox: Slugger J.D.

Red Sox Astros Baseball Houston Astros starting pitcher Jose Urquidy reacts after striking out Boston Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts during the sixth inning of a baseball game Monday, May 31, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (David J. Phillip)HOUSTON — (AP) — Kyle Tucker had a season-best three hits and tied a career high with four RBIs as the Houston Astros beat former bench coach Alex Cora and the Boston Red Sox 11-2 on Monday. This was the first time Cora, now managing the Red Sox, had faced the Astros since being suspended in 2020 for his role in Houston's sign-stealing scheme while with the team in 2017. Cora helped Houston win the World Series in 2017, then guided Boston to the 2018 title. He was fired by the Red Sox after his suspension, then rehired last November.

“They hate us and so it’s easy for us to get more excited to play those guys,” Tampa Bay reliever Ryan Thompson said. New York (29-24) was outscored 15-5 with 36 strikeouts during the series and went 1 for 25 with runners in scoring position. Rich Hill pitches for Tampa Bay against Jameson Taillon at Yankee Stadium. The Rays have won six of nine, including a 3-0 record in New York, during this year’s season series. Flaherty leads the majors in wins, while Bauer ranks second in the NL with 91 strikeouts.

“They hate us and so it’s easy for us to get more excited to play those guys,” Tampa Bay reliever Ryan Thompson said. New York (29-24) was outscored 15-5 with 36 strikeouts during the series and went 1 for 25 with runners in scoring position. Rich Hill pitches for Tampa Bay against Jameson Taillon at Yankee Stadium. The Rays have won six of nine, including a 3-0 record in New York, during this year’s season series. Flaherty leads the majors in wins, while Bauer ranks second in the NL with 91 strikeouts.

Star players rarely go out gracefully, but the future Hall of Famer's departure from Anaheim was especially uncomfortable.

Alex Cora of the Boston Red Sox during a MLB baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. The MLB investigation found that Red Sox video replay system operator J.T. The Red Sox won a franchise record 108 games during the 2018 regular season, and then beat the Dodgers in the World Series. The investigation arose after the publication of an article published by The Athletic that alleged the Red Sox were engaging in illegal sign-stealing, according to Manfred. The Red Sox had to pay an undisclosed fine.

So now we know the Houston Astros cheated their way to the 2017 World Series title. Certainly, any sanctions against the Boston Red Sox for what they might been doing in their run to the 2018 World Series championship will be meted out soon enough. Manfred has alienated many fans in recent years with his tweaks to the rulebook in the interests of pace of play. The Astros won 107 games last season and reached the World Series for the second time in three seasons. The Red Sox won 108 games in 2018 Coras first year as manager and won the the World Series, but struggled last year, winning just 84 games.

Carlos Beltran talks after being introduced as manager of the New York Mets during a press conference at Citi Field on November 4, 2019 in New York City. The New York Mets announced Thursday that manager Carlos Beltran will leave the team after he was named in the MLB report on the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal. Considering the circumstances, it became clear to all parties that it was not in anyone's best interest for Carlos to move forward as Manager of the New York Mets." Beltran, who played for the Houston Astros in the 2017 season, joined the Mets as manager in November. The Astros fired team manager A.J.

The Boston Red Sox announced Tuesday that they have parted ways with manager Alex Cora. "Today we met to discuss the Commissioner's report related to the Houston Astros investigation. Alex is a special person and a beloved member of the Red Sox. Ezra Shaw / GettyIn a statement of his own, Cora said he didn't want to be "a distraction to the Red Sox as they move forward." MLB's investigation into the Red Sox's alleged cheating during the 2018 season is still ongoing.

Alex Cora of the Boston Red Sox during a MLB baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. The Boston Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora on Tuesday, a day after baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred implicated him in the sport's sign-stealing scandal. MLB had also been investigating allegations the Red Sox had stolen signs en route to their 2018 World Series championship. Cora met Tuesday with Red Sox management. The Red Sox begin spring training in less than a month.