Red Sox' Alex Cora Had Xander Bogaerts Message Before Padres Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Aug 8, 2025 9:22 PM ET

The Boston Red Sox open up a crucial series against the San Diego Padres on Friday, with both teams surging toward first place in their respective divisions. San Diego enters Friday just two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, while Boston sits four games back of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Former Red Sox star Xander Bogaerts has begun to heat up recently, helping lead San Diego in its push for a second consecutive postseason appearance.

The Padres currently sit at 64–51, having won eight of their last ten games. Over six games in August, Bogaerts owns a .333 batting average, .971 OPS, eight hits, and two home runs.

Alex Cora Shares Moment With Former Star Xander Bogaerts

Ahead of the series opener, Cora explained how he met up with Jose Iglesias and Bogaerts last night with both teams having a day off.

When asked what it was like seeing Bogaerts these days, he said, "It’s great, because now he pays for dinner. He has a lot of money."

Alex Cora said he got together last night with Xander Bogaerts and Jose Iglesias.

What is it like seeing Bogaerts these days?

"It’s great, because now he pays for dinner," Cora said. "He has a lot of money."
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) August 8, 2025

Bogaerts' Legacy With the Red Sox

Bogaerts joined the Padres before the 2023 season on an 11-year, $280 million deal, forming a superteam alongside Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Juan Soto. The 32-year-old shortstop spent his first ten seasons in Boston, including four under Cora’s leadership—2018 to 2019, and again from 2021 to 2022 before Bogaerts’ departure.

He enjoyed the best years of his career in Boston, collecting two World Series championships, four All-Star selections, and five Silver Slugger Awards. In 1,264 games, he hit 156 home runs, drove in 683 RBIs, and posted a .292 batting average with an .814 OPS.

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

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