Cora provides stability at utility
MLB. A good, dependable utility guy is very difficult to find in baseball, but Red Sox infielder Alex Cora is among the best.
The cerebral Cora, who many within the Sox organization predict will be a big-league manager when his playing days have come to a conclusion, is in his third full season backing up at all infield positions for the Olde Towne Team.
The native of Puerto Rico proved invaluable last season, as he split games with Dustin Pedroia early in the year and allowed the rookie to take extra time to ease into his full-time job.
The utility role is one in which Cora has been at peace — a peace of mind that reached an even higher level when he watched other utility players scrounging around and looking for major-league work when spring training began last month.
“They told me from the get-go that they know what I’m capable of, but this is what you’re going to do here,” said Cora, who hit .246 with three home runs and 18 RBI last season despite sporadic playing time. “I’m very glad that they signed to a two-year deal [prior to the 2007 season], especially because of what happened to a lot of utility guys this winter.
“Obviously, when you’re a utility guy, then your time gets cut short and rhythm gets away from you, but I can still contribute and I’m very happy to be here,” added Cora, who for the first time in 11 years didn’t play winter ball in Puerto Rico when the league disbanded following the 2007 season.
Cora is heavily depended upon for his versatility and heady infield play while on the diamond, but he — along with catcher Jason Varitek and third baseman Mike Lowell — has also filled out a strong, veteran leadership presence within the clubhouse.
Many of the lessons learned while growing up on the playing fields of Puerto Rico with a baseball family have served him well.
“The most important thing is to go out and respect the game,” Cora said. “It’s what I learned as a young kid from my father and my brother (former big leaguer Joey Cora) growing up. If you respect the game, then people are going to respect you — run hard, do the right things, don’t try to be somebody or something you’re not.”