In an eventful game at Fenway Park on Saturday, Major League Baseball chose not to suspend Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora despite his post-game comments hinting at potential retaliatory actions. The decision came after an investigation into Cora's remarks, which implied that the Red Sox had attempted to hit New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge in response to Yankees ace Gerrit Cole allegedly hitting Rafael Devers intentionally.
The league's inquiry into the situation found insufficient evidence to justify any punitive measures against Cora. The tension between the storied rivals was palpable throughout the game, culminating in a 7-1 victory for the Red Sox.
A Closer Look at the Game
Part of the controversy stemmed from an incident in the fourth inning when Cole chose to intentionally walk Red Sox third baseman Devers, even though there were no baserunners and only one out. The decision raised eyebrows, particularly given Devers' impressive track record against Cole. Prior to Saturday's matchup, Devers held a .341 batting average against Cole, with eight home runs out of 41 at-bats — homers all hit between 2021 and 2024.
The sixth inning brought further drama, as Red Sox starter Brayan Bello threw the first pitch behind Judge's knees, narrowly missing the Yankees' power hitter. This incident seemed to confirm the brewing tensions laid out by earlier events.
Cora's Perspective
Manager Alex Cora did not shy away from expressing his views. "I felt like the first at-bat, he hit him on purpose. He doesn’t wanna face him, that’s the bottom line. He told us with the intentional walk that the first at-bat he hit him. We’ll leave it at that. After that, he had bases loaded and had to face him,” Cora stated. This candid declaration underscored the intensity and competitive edge that characterizes Red Sox-Yankees matchups.
Cora didn't hesitate to reiterate his point, adding, “We took exception to (the HBP) because it was loud and clear that he didn’t want to face him. It was intentional, I’m not gonna back off. It was intentional.” These statements shed light on the simmering frustration within the Red Sox camp, further fueled by their historic rivalry with the Yankees.
The Consequences
The culmination of these events left Gerrit Cole battered by Red Sox bats, ending the game with a decisive 7-1 loss. It was a tough outing for the Yankees' ace, whose choice to walk Devers and subsequent rough innings highlighted a difficult day on the mound.
Cora’s remarks hinted at a missed opportunity for retaliation. “It was closed [Saturday] around the sixth inning. We had our chance. It didn’t happen.” These words hinted at a sense of unresolved business between the two teams, leaving fans and pundits alike wondering about the undercurrents influencing strategies on both sides.
The Red Sox's victory was sweetened by this context of competitive fervor, adding another chapter to the storied rivalry between these American League powerhouses. As MLB's decision not to suspend Cora underscores, the intricate dance of strategy, rivalry, and on-field dynamics continues to define one of baseball's most heated rivalries.