BOSTON _ Alex Cora is the first manager of color in Red Sox history, and he's promised to use that platform as warranted since his November 2017 hiring.
Wednesday was one of those days. Cora spent a portion of his daily pregame briefing addressing the ongoing protests in his native Puerto Rico. He joined those calling for the resignation of Gov. Ricardo Rossello.
Some 900 pages of profane and homophobic messages between Rossello and his top aides were published last weekend by the Center for Investigative Journalism. Two of Rossello's former cabinet members have stepped down and two others have been arrested by the FBI on corruption charges. Allegations include fraud charges involving more than $15 million in government funds.
"I always said that I'm the manager of the Red Sox _ that's my main goal," Cora said. "When I get here, I'm the manager of the Red Sox. But there's other stuff that comes with the territory. I'm a minority, I'm from Puerto Rico and I represent them."
Several island natives throughout baseball have weighed in on the issues at hand, including Carlos Correa, Yadier Molina and Kike Henrandez. Demonstrations were planned in the capital city of San Juan starting Wednesday evening, with protestors marching on government buildings. Cora was among those keeping a close watch.
"I'm the manager of the Boston Red Sox and I should stay most of the time baseball-wise," Cora said. "But I know who I represent, and I'll say it. We're asking for (Rossello) to step down and we hope to move forward. Hopefully that happens in the upcoming hours or tomorrow."
It's not the first time Cora has waded into political waters. He was critical of the government response after Hurricane Maria devastated the island in September 2017. Cora also declined to visit the White House with Boston in May while they were hosted as World Series champions by President Donald Trump.
"Sometimes it's uncomfortable," Cora said. "A few months ago was tough. But at the same time, at this moment, it's the right thing to do. I have to voice my opinion. I'm with my people back home."
