La Vida Baseball’s Man of the Year: Álex Cora

Álex Cora rose to meet and surpass the lofty expectations of one of America’s most demanding sports towns. He also humbled himself before his proud and hurting people, helping them rejoice and rebuild.

He was both proud and humble, winning on the field and off, head held high with a regal presence and a steady confidence. Cora was more than just a World Series-winning manager in 2018, much more.

He was a symbol of hope for his fellow Puerto Ricans, especially those from his hometown of Caguas. He was also a symbol of strength and authority in Boston, deftly guiding a talented and expensive Red Sox roster to the World Series. He’s also La Vida Baseball’s Man of the Year.

There were many worthy candidates for La Vida Baseball’s Man of the Year Award in 2018. Cora’s biggest competitors were fellow Boricuas Francisco Lindor of the Cleveland Indians and Javy Báez of the Chicago Cubs. Lindor’s teammate in Cleveland, Dominican José Ramírez, third baseman Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies and slugger J.D. Martinez of the Red Sox also deserved consideration.

If the award were merely for performance on the field, Ramírez would perhaps be the most worthy candidate for La Vida Baseball’s Man of the Year. He, Arenado and Báez were the only Latinos to finish as finalists for their respective leagues’ Most Valuable Player awards.

In some years, excellence on the field may be enough to garner the Man of the Year Award. In 2018 it wasn’t, though, in part because so many worthy candidates thrived while also living up to the saintly Roberto Clemente’s legacy off the field.

Clemente famously said, “Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on Earth.”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Puerto Ricans in Major League Baseball lived up to Clemente’s legacy and devoted their time off the field to raising funds to help their beloved island rebuild. In that regard, St. Louis Cardinals superstar Yadier Molina stood out the most by living up to his All-Star standards behind the plate while also leading the way off the field and eventually earning the Roberto Clemente Award.

Molina, Báez and Lindor earned consideration for La Vida Baseball’s Man of the Year. In most years, what they did on and off the field would have been enough. Ultimately, though, Cora earned the prize after a historic run that may open more doors for fellow Latino managers.

After interviewing for three previous managerial openings, Cora finally got his chance with the Red Sox after he helped the Astros win the 2017 World Series as a bench coach. He almost immediately used his position to help his battered island by convincing the Red Sox owners to charter relief supplies to Puerto Rico as part of his contract.

Then he got to work with one of the most impressive rookie managerial seasons in baseball history. He led the Red Sox to a franchise record 108 victories in the regular season. Then he dispatched the Red Sox’s most hated rivals, the Yankees, in the Division Series.

He also took care of the defending World Series champion Houston Astros, the team he helped win the title. His Red Sox made it look easy again in the World Series over the Dodgers as he became just the second Latino manager to win the title and the first to do it as a rookie.

In the immediate aftermath of the victory, he rushed in search of his family on the field at Dodger Stadium to celebrate with them. Cora then capped his glorious run by taking the World Series trophy back to Caguas to celebrate with his people.

From start to finish, La Vida Baseball’s Man of the Year was more than just a champion on the field. He was a champion for his people as well, and that is perhaps more impressive.

Featured Image: Jean Fruth / La Vida Baseball