One unexpected bright spot in an ugly week for the Red Sox

TL;DR

The Boston Red Sox have ended their controversial hit celebration following the termination of manager Alex Cora. Players are now opting for more original ways to celebrate hits, signaling a shift in team culture.

Key points

Alex Cora was terminated as manager of the Red Sox.
The team abandoned its pelvic thrust hit celebration.
Players are now using more original celebrations.
Chad Tracy is the interim manager.
Celebration styles have evolved among players.

Mentioned in this story

Alex CoraChad TracyWilyer AbreuAndruw MonasterioConnor WongCaleb DurbinIsiah Kiner-FalefaCeddanne RafaelaMarcelo Mayer

Boston Red SoxToronto Blue Jays

Apr 27, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu (52) reacts after hitting an RBI double against the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Alex Cora’s termination ended the short-lived tenure of the painfully awful hit celebration that the Red Sox began the 2026 season with. No matter what else comes out of the managerial and coaching changes, I’m truly appreciative of the ripple effect they had on this weirdly weak and unoriginal celebration. As I wrote earlier, the team had put me in the thoroughly uncomfortable position of rooting for a prolonged losing streak, simply in order for it to go away. One prolonged losing streak, six terminations, and one reassignment later, here we are. On hearing the Cora news last week, one of my immediate thoughts was the fate of the hit celebration. Earlier in the day, during the 17-1 blowout against the Orioles, the pelvic thrust was still very much alive. The 2026 broadcast had started cutting away from Sox players once they reached base, but Andruw Monasterio and Connor Wong, at least, were observed celebrating hits with pelvic thrusts. It was the only part of the Sox performance that could be called a . Not all players were using it by this point, though. had pivoted to tapping his helmet then doing a sort of standing abdominal crunch, while pounded a fist several times on his helmet. Guys, thank you. During Sunday’s game, the first of the , celebrated both of his hits with a forward lunge. Monasterio, a thruster on Saturday, changed things up by pounding the top of his bare head twice, then striking the —and then lunging as well. A true convert! When singled, he sent a kiss skyward, then did a pelvic thrust…but then seemed to interrupt himself with a laugh, a lunge, and a Most Muscular pose. It read like a self-deprecating acknowledgment of having let muscle memory take over. singled, then gave one quick side lunge. Since he promoted the original celebration, I thought Red Sox Nation could likely consider pelvic thrusting dead and gone. By Monday’s game against the , I was positive it was defunct when Mayer celebrated a single with a helmet tap and a side lunge. Normally, this is when it would be appropriate to say Rest in Peace. I won’t say that, but I’m glad the Red Sox players gave it a rest.

Q&A

What led to the end of the Red Sox's hit celebration?

The termination of manager Alex Cora prompted the Red Sox to abandon their controversial hit celebration, which had been criticized for its lack of originality.

How are Red Sox players celebrating hits after the managerial change?

Following the managerial change, Red Sox players are now using a variety of celebrations, including lunges and helmet taps, moving away from the pelvic thrusts.

Who is the interim manager of the Red Sox after Cora's termination?

Chad Tracy has been named the interim manager of the Boston Red Sox following Alex Cora's termination.