Alex Cora saw immediate success as Boston Red Sox manager, helping the organization to a World Series title after being hired in 2018. So far this season, his team is on track to make another deep run.
When he was re-hired prior to the 2021 campaign after serving a year-long suspension, it didn't come as much of a surprise. Cora has been well-regarded in the Red Sox clubhouse by players and staff, and he's proven to be one of the better managers in baseball to boot.
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So, what exactly is it about Cora that makes players gravitate toward him? Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts explained to baseball legends David Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez and Frank Thomas during FOX's MLB All-Star Game coverage.
"Obviously, he has a good feel," Bogaerts said. "He has a good feel of understanding when stuff isn't going good as a player and maybe give you a day off, give you a breather. You guys played this game, you know how hard this is and not always the confidence is on point the way it should be. He has a good feel for that.
"Obviously, his confidence that he gives each and every one of us going out there. Doesn't matter whether you start off good, start off bad, go into a rough stretch or a good stretch, just being consistent and have a good feel for players."
Bogaerts hasn't had many rough stretches this season. The 28-year-old is hitting .321/.385/.545 with 15 homers, 57 RBI and a league-leading 27 doubles at the break. Those numbers helped Bogaerts earn his third All-Star nod, and he'll start at shortstop for the American League at the mid-summer classic.
The 2021 MLB All-Star Game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday at Coors Field.