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Alex Cora Responds to Judgment After Missing Red Sox Game Against Mets

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Conor Liguori | Last updated May 21, 2025 11:06 AM ET

On Monday night, the Boston Red Sox began a three-game series against Juan Soto and the New York Mets at Fenway Park, but manager Alex Cora was absent.

Cora opted to attend his daughter Camila's college graduation at Boston College. He attended the ceremony at Alumni Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts.

Cora's decision to attend his daughter's graduation caused an uproar on talk radio on Tuesday morning. Mike Felger of 98.5 The Sports Hub said that Cora missing the Red Sox opener against the Mets was "kind of preposterous."

“It’s just the tone you set and the example you set for the team,” Felger said. “It’s not like they need him there to make the pitching change or lay down the bunt. It’s the leadership and optics of the whole thing. It’s a very easy chance for him to say, ‘Nothing’s more important than tonight’s game.’ He just does it by example. Nothing’s more important than this game.”

Speaking with Chris Cotillo of MassLive on Tuesday afternoon, Cora rebuffed critics who said he should have attended the game.

“People have their own opinions,” Cora told Cotillo. “I bet those people have families, too, and at one point, they have to make decisions, too.

I bet they made decisions for the best of the family. I made the best decision for my daughter. For those who don’t understand, I’m not gonna try to convince them. It is what it is. I made the best decision for my girl.”

On the field, the Red Sox defeated the Mets 3-1, and bench coach Ramon Vazquez replaced Cora as acting manager.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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