Fenway Sports Group fired Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora and five of his coaches on Saturday, despite a 17-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles that snapped a four-game losing streak.
The decision came as the Red Sox sat last in the AL East with a 10-17 record, marking the first time since August 2001 that Boston has dismissed a manager during an active season.
Cora, who led the Red Sox to a franchise-record 108 wins and a World Series title in 2018, will be replaced on an interim basis by Chad Tracy, manager of the Triple-A Worcester affiliate.
Hitting coach Peter Fatse, third base coach Kyle Hudson, bench coach Ramón Vázquez, assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson, and major league hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin were also relieved of their duties.
Game planning and run prevention coach Jason Varitek, a three-time World Series champion as a player, was reassigned to an unspecified role within the organization.
In a statement, FSG principal owner John Henry praised Cora’s legacy, saying he “led on and off the field in so many important ways” and would “always have our deepest gratitude.”
Henry added that the decision was “especially challenging given what Alex has meant to the Red Sox since the day he arrived,” acknowledging the emotional weight of the move.
The 17-1 victory over Baltimore stands as the largest winning margin in any Major League manager’s final game in the modern era, according to the Liverpool Echo.
FSG, which also owns Liverpool FC and the Pittsburgh Penguins, has faced scrutiny from Liverpool supporters who wished for similar decisiveness with Arne Slot during a turbulent Premier League campaign.
Liverpool has endured a difficult season exacerbated by the pre-season death of Diogo Jota in a car crash in Spain, a circumstance FSG says has been taken into account in its continued support of Slot.
Despite a recent three-game winning run in the Premier League, Slot has lost the backing of many fans, though FSG maintains he will remain in charge for the 2026-27 season.
Cora’s tenure included a suspension in 2020 related to the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, after which he returned to Boston following an agreement that he step down temporarily.
His return in 2021 was met with optimism, but the team has failed to sustain competitiveness amid roster turnover and injuries, culminating in this season’s poor start.
The firing underscores FSG’s willingness to enforce accountability across its portfolio, even when parting with figures who delivered historic success.
How the timing of the decision contrasts with the team’s recent performance
The Red Sox announced the changes immediately after a dominant 17-1 win, a result that temporarily lifted morale but did not alter the underlying season-long struggles reflected in their 10-17 record.
What Cora’s firing means for the Red Sox’s immediate leadership
Chad Tracy, whose father Jim Tracy managed three MLB clubs over 11 seasons, steps in as interim manager after leading Worcester in the International League, bringing a minor-league development perspective to the major league roster.
Why Liverpool fans are watching the situation closely
Some Liverpool supporters have drawn parallels between Cora’s firing and their own frustrations with Arne Slot, viewing the Red Sox move as a potential benchmark for accountability under FSG ownership.
Who will manage the Red Sox on an interim basis?
Chad Tracy, currently manager of the Triple-A Worcester affiliate, will serve as interim manager of the Boston Red Sox.
What was Alex Cora’s record with the Red Sox before his firing?
Cora led the Red Sox to a franchise-record 108 wins and a World Series title in 2018, and previously managed them to another championship that year after returning from a suspension related to the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal.
How does this decision compare to past managerial changes in Boston?
This is the first time since August 2001 that the Red Sox have fired a manager during an active season, ending a nearly 25-year period of in-season stability at the position.
