BALTIMORE, MD – APRIL 25: Manager Alex Cora #13 of the Boston Red Sox looks on from the dugout during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 25, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
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Alex Cora may have been removed from his post at the helm of the Boston Red Sox, but he hasn’t walked away from one of the promises he made while leading the club.
Months after his sudden departure, the former Red Sox skipper followed through on a charitable commitment tied to one of Boston’s biggest offensive milestones. That promise officially came due after first baseman Willson Contreras reached an impressive benchmark over the weekend, amid his own controversial stretch that included back-to-back ejections and a benches clearing brawl with the Washington Nationals.
Former Boston Red Sox Skipper Alex Cora Honors Promise After Willson Contreras Blast
Shortly before the season began, Cora pledged to donate $20,000 to The Jimmy Fund, a cancer research charity, if a Red Sox player reached a home run milestone.
“In February, Alex Cora pledged that he’d donate $20,000 to The Jimmy Fund if a Red Sox player hit 20 home runs in 2026,” Chris Cotillo reported for MassLive. “He may have been fired in April, but that isn’t stopping Cora from following through on his pledge. Cora confirmed Monday via text that he will stay true to his word and make the promised donation after first baseman Willson Contreras hit his 20th home run of the season Sunday night in Anaheim.”
Cora might have felt that, after he was unceremoniously let go amid some poor results for the team, he would no longer need to honor a previous commitment or even respond to media inquiries. But shortly after Contreras reached the milestone, Cora offered a simple four-word reaction that reflected both his confidence in the roster and the larger purpose behind the pledge.
“Happy that it happened,” Cora said in a text, per Cotillo. “Honestly, that was an easy pledge. I trust my players. We need more people to join us!”
Boston Red Sox World Series Champion Alex Cora Seems Could Return With Philadelphia Phillies
While Cora’s commitment to his former roster is cause for recognition, his potential managerial future might be attracting more attention across baseball. After guiding the Red Sox to a World Series championship in 2018, he appears to be at the top of the list for a pair of high-profile openings.
“While the New York Mets would love to hire Alex Cora as their next manager, Cora still is expected to join the Phillies after rejecting their offer to replace Rob Thomson, who the club fired on April 28,” Bob Nightengale reported for USA Today. “The Phillies instead turned to Don Mattingly. Hall of Famer Carlos Beltran is the favorite for the Mets’ vacancy when interim manager Andy Green returns to the front office this winter.”
Regardless of where Cora eventually returns, his latest gesture reinforced the reputation he built in Boston. Even after leaving the organization, he honored a promise connected to the Red Sox and The Jimmy Fund, while celebrating Contreras’ accomplishment with a message that was brief but meaningful.