Red Sox's David Hamilton Anecdote in Alex Cora Firing Doesn't Make Sense
TL;DR
The Boston Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora just 27 games into the season, following a significant win. The decision, made by chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, raises questions about its timing and motivations.
Key points
- Alex Cora was fired after 27 games into the season
- The Red Sox won 17-1 just before Cora's dismissal
- Craig Breslow made the decision to fire Cora
Mentioned in this story
Milwaukee Brewers second baseman David Hamilton
(Benny Sieu/Imagn Imaes)
The fallout from the firing of Alex Cora as Boston Red Sox manager has been predictably full of twists and turns.
It was stunning to see Cora gone just 27 games into the season, particularly after a 17-1 win on Sunday. Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow was the man who pulled the plug, and it's fair to guess that his decision had something to do with self-preservation even if he thought Cora's removal would be best for the team in the long run.
But Breslow could never come right out and say he fired Cora to shift some of the blame for the team's slow start this year off himself. And that feels like it has something to do with the Monday report about the difference of opinions in the Boston organization regarding David Hamilton.
CBS Sports' Julian McWilliams cited Hamilton's strong play for the Milwaukee Brewers in a series at Fenway Park earlier this month as a reason the front office increasingly doubted the coaching staff's abilities.
"The front office, though still confident in Hamilton, traded him to the Brewers during the offseason," wrote McWilliams. "When he returned this month and played well against the Red Sox, the front office again began questioning the coaching staff's developmental process with younger players. 'Why do a lot of players go to other places and get better?' one source said of the questions being asked. 'Why do other guys come here and get worse?'"
Sure, Hamilton might have impressed a bit more in a Brewers uniform this season than he did in his brutal 2025 campaign for the Red Sox. But he also owned a .605 OPS and no home runs entering play on Monday. That's with an increased role on a Brewers team with very limited infield depth after it traded Caleb Durbin and Andruw Monasterio to Boston in the same deal.
Whatever the disconnect might have been, there's no logical explanation for Hamilton mattering so much in a decision to fire a manager whose tenure went back to the 28-year-old's college days. And in a few years, Hamilton won't rank high on the list of players the Red Sox and their fans wish hadn't been let go under Breslow.
More MLB:What Red Sox's Nightmare Scenario Could Look Like for Alex Cora’s Next Job
Q&A
Why was Alex Cora fired as Boston Red Sox manager?
Alex Cora was fired after just 27 games into the season, likely due to a combination of team performance and internal pressures.
What impact does Alex Cora's firing have on the Red Sox season?
Cora's firing could significantly affect team morale and performance as the Red Sox navigate the rest of the season.
Who made the decision to fire Alex Cora?
The decision to fire Alex Cora was made by Craig Breslow, the chief baseball officer of the Boston Red Sox.
