Sox to hire Alex Cora as manager

[Dojji]

Interesting side note: Despite the many 'K's in Klingon names, the actual language contains very few of them, those are the anglicized versions. In Klingon, the 'q' is used for both the 'k' and the hard 'c'. (Also, the Klingon word for Klingon is "tlhIngan"). The closest Klingon word(s) to Klel (seriously, who named that guy?) would be qul'el, which translates as "to enter the fire" or "go into the fire" or something along those lines. Which, when you think about it, is an apt description for taking the Sox managing job.

 

 

Also, TWO Trek references in one baseball thread, neither initiated by me? Awesome.

 

In other words, the TOS Klingon triad who reprised their roles in DS9 would be Q'ang, Qor, and Qol'oth. Interesting. Never realized that. I guess what we get is the Federation spellings,

 

Wouldn't be the first time someone from a different language group spelled a name differently. Beijing/Peking, Mumbai/Bombay, etc

Edited October 27, 2017 by Dojji

[Youk Of The Nation]

In other words, the TOS Klingon triad who reprised their roles in DS9 would be Q'ang, Qor, and Qol'oth. Interesting. Never realized that. I guess what we get is the Federation spellings,

 

Wouldn't be the first time someone from a different language group spelled a name differently. Beijing/Peking, Mumbai/Bombay, etc

 

Exactly. And if you recall that Kang named his son after Curzon Dax (The host of the symbiont before Jadzia), that name is actually spelled Daqs.

[Spudboy]

I just watched Alex Cora being introduced as the new Sox manager.

 

Actually it was much like a coming home for him as many media types were asked by name how they were or good to see you by Cora.

 

He was asked the usual stupid s*** and a handful of decent questions. He fielded them all quite well.

 

I did find it odd that several times he refereed to "his country" as if Puerto Rico were not the United States.

 

Sad.

[Slasher9]

Puerto Rico is not the United States.

[mvp 78]

The US treats PR like a colony. I'm not surprised when Puerto Ricans feel like outsiders.

[mvp 78]

@redsoxstats

 

Cora just talked about hunting first pitches to do damage with. Might have mentioned that a time or ten this year.

 

SWOOOOON

[mvp 78]

@redsoxstats

 

Houston had 55 first pitch homers and 62 2B+3B. Sox 17 and 34. Best and worst in MLB.

[Jack Flap]

The US treats PR like a colony. I'm not surprised when Puerto Ricans feel like outsiders.

 

Yeah, can't say I blame them a bit, sadly.

 

Also, Cora is going to be awesome.

[Kimmi]

Yeah, can't say I blame them a bit, sadly.

 

Also, Cora is going to be awesome.

 

I am very excited about Cora, even more so after reading what he had to say today.

[Hitch]

 

I did find it odd that several times he refereed to "his country" as if Puerto Rico were not the United States.

 

Sad.

 

 

That's because it's not. How can anyone be surprised he doesn't feel American.

 

Very encouraged by his press conference today. Exciting times ahead.

[Kimmi]

Alex Cora - My man!

 

THE ANALYSTS WILL BE IN THE CONVERSATION: For years, the discussion of analytics has slowly reshaped from whether statistical data is useful (surprise! it is!) to the question of implementation and blending data into on-field decision-making — how to make numbers seem useful rather than scary (or pointless) to players. Cora said that Houston represented a phenomenal example of an organization that successfully connected its analysts with its manager, coaching staff, and players, and vowed that under him, the same would occur with the Red Sox.

 

In that vein, it was interesting to note that Dombrowski said the Sox would add a “quality control coach” — someone who may well be in uniform — to help connect analytics to the field.

[oldtimer]

I am very excited about Cora, even more so after reading what he had to say today.

 

I feel the same way. Cora is saying a lot of things that I have believed for a while now. His approach with the offense may well help some of our younger players to up their performance. Looking forward to seeing his approach put into operation.

[Kimmi]

I feel the same way. Cora is saying a lot of things that I have believed for a while now. His approach with the offense may well help some of our younger players to up their performance. Looking forward to seeing his approach put into operation.

 

Agreed. He also does not seem the least bit overwhelmed by the media microscope that he will be under.

[cp176]

Alex Cora - My man!

 

THE ANALYSTS WILL BE IN THE CONVERSATION: For years, the discussion of analytics has slowly reshaped from whether statistical data is useful (surprise! it is!) to the question of implementation and blending data into on-field decision-making — how to make numbers seem useful rather than scary (or pointless) to players. Cora said that Houston represented a phenomenal example of an organization that successfully connected its analysts with its manager, coaching staff, and players, and vowed that under him, the same would occur with the Red Sox.

 

In that vein, it was interesting to note that Dombrowski said the Sox would add a “quality control coach” — someone who may well be in uniform — to help connect analytics to the field.

 

Sounds great!

[Jack Flap]

Alex Cora - My man!

 

THE ANALYSTS WILL BE IN THE CONVERSATION: For years, the discussion of analytics has slowly reshaped from whether statistical data is useful (surprise! it is!) to the question of implementation and blending data into on-field decision-making — how to make numbers seem useful rather than scary (or pointless) to players. Cora said that Houston represented a phenomenal example of an organization that successfully connected its analysts with its manager, coaching staff, and players, and vowed that under him, the same would occur with the Red Sox.

 

In that vein, it was interesting to note that Dombrowski said the Sox would add a “quality control coach” — someone who may well be in uniform — to help connect analytics to the field.

 

Very intriguing.

[Larry Cook]

Alex Cora - My man!

 

THE ANALYSTS WILL BE IN THE CONVERSATION: For years, the discussion of analytics has slowly reshaped from whether statistical data is useful (surprise! it is!) to the question of implementation and blending data into on-field decision-making — how to make numbers seem useful rather than scary (or pointless) to players. Cora said that Houston represented a phenomenal example of an organization that successfully connected its analysts with its manager, coaching staff, and players, and vowed that under him, the same would occur with the Red Sox.

 

In that vein, it was interesting to note that Dombrowski said the Sox would add a “quality control coach” — someone who may well be in uniform — to help connect analytics to the field.

 

Good to see desperate dave putting the pieces together.

[a700hitter]

Good to see desperate dave putting the pieces together.

Desperate Dave is such a lame nickname. There are so many better options. Dumbass Dave, Dave the Dope, Dave Dunce, Douchey Dave and on and on. Desperate? WTH? It sucks.

[moonslav59]

I guess some feel his moves have been of the desperate variety.

 

I'd maybe call him daring Dave.

[a700hitter]

I guess some feel his moves have been of the desperate variety.

 

I'd maybe call him daring Dave.

desperate for what? He has one of the biggest payrolls in the game and he has been handed the keys. Just a dumb name. It conveys nothing. It's a lame insult. Daring Dave is clearly not an insulting nickname, but it isn't a bad nickname.

[cp176]

Desperate Dave is such a lame nickname. There are so many better options. Dumbass Dave, Dave the Dope, Dave Dunce, Douchey Dave and on and on. Desperate? WTH? It sucks.

 

it's Lary dontcha know - or we think it is anyway

[moonslav59]

desperate for what? He has one of the biggest payrolls in the game and he has been handed the keys. Just a dumb name. It conveys nothing. It's a lame insult. Daring Dave is clearly not an insulting nickname, but it isn't a bad nickname.

 

I'm not one of "the some" I mentioned, but I can see how "some" might view his as "desperate" for trading away so many top prospects in such a short period. Keeping prospects conveys a sense of patience. One antonym of patience is "desperate".

 

Again, I don't view DD as desperate, but I do see him as bold and daring with a streak of a gambler in him.

[cp176]

I'm not one of "the some" I mentioned, but I can see how "some" might view his as "desperate" for trading away so many top prospects in such a short period. Keeping prospects conveys a sense of patience. One antonym of patience is "desperate".

 

Again, I don't view DD as desperate, but I do see him as bold and daring with a streak of a gambler in him.

 

I think that your description sounds about right.

[sk7326]

Alex Cora - My man!

 

THE ANALYSTS WILL BE IN THE CONVERSATION: For years, the discussion of analytics has slowly reshaped from whether statistical data is useful (surprise! it is!) to the question of implementation and blending data into on-field decision-making — how to make numbers seem useful rather than scary (or pointless) to players. Cora said that Houston represented a phenomenal example of an organization that successfully connected its analysts with its manager, coaching staff, and players, and vowed that under him, the same would occur with the Red Sox.

 

In that vein, it was interesting to note that Dombrowski said the Sox would add a “quality control coach” — someone who may well be in uniform — to help connect analytics to the field.

 

One thing Gammons wrote was that Dombrowski - to his credit - has kept a lot of the analytics and best practices the Red Sox had when he arrived. He did not pooh pooh analytics so much as he plead a measure of ignorance, but respected it. Yeah there was a large brain drain - but you expect that given a new guy in charge. But it is nice they are definitely committed.

 

It doesn't take a sleuth to see there is probably a lot of research to say, augment UZR with the statcast launch angle, exit velocity data, along with initial positioning.

[Slasher9]

desperate for what? He has one of the biggest payrolls in the game and he has been handed the keys. Just a dumb name. It conveys nothing. It's a lame insult. Daring Dave is clearly not an insulting nickname, but it isn't a bad nickname.

 

desperate to have a parade. desperate to keep his job. so he makes desperate moves. at least in some peoples opinion. you dont think so, so you dont get it or dont agree with it. it's like whatever nickname you had for ben or theo or JF or butter or tito. maybe not everyone agreed with your nickname.

babip!

Desperate Dave works for me.

[Bellhorn04]

It's not so much the 'desperate dave' part, but Larry Cook's posts about Dombrowski being a 'pillow biter' and so on are a wee bit over the top. It brings to mind some of those old witty rejoinders like 'Hey, did the guy screw your wife or something?'

[Kimmi]

One thing Gammons wrote was that Dombrowski - to his credit - has kept a lot of the analytics and best practices the Red Sox had when he arrived. He did not pooh pooh analytics so much as he plead a measure of ignorance, but respected it. Yeah there was a large brain drain - but you expect that given a new guy in charge. But it is nice they are definitely committed.

 

It doesn't take a sleuth to see there is probably a lot of research to say, augment UZR with the statcast launch angle, exit velocity data, along with initial positioning.

 

I give Dombrowski credit for at least giving the appearance that he is trying to embrace analytics.

[mvp 78]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2743182-astros-alex-bregman-on-snl-college-with-odell-alex-cora-bp-in-off-whites

 

B/R: Alex Cora mentioned on Monday at his introductory press conference as manager for the Red Sox that you were like a little brother to him. What was your experience like with him as a bench coach?

 

AB: He impacted the team immediately when he came over. Just a special knowledge for the game that you don't get from most people. His knowledge of baseball is basically why he has such a good career. It's because he knows the ins and outs of the game. He picks up stuff that other people don't pick up. If I'm trying to steal a base, I need to find a cue because I'm not the fastest guy. Alex Cora will be like: "Watch his front foot. His front foot when he picks is closed off. When he goes to the plate, it's open. You know right there, on one one-thousand, two, he's going to the plate."

 

B/R: Was there any particular instance where Cora’s help stuck out to you?

 

AB: I'd say the first thing, well, I kinda had the yips in spring training. I couldn't throw. He got me to be able to throw again. We went down and looked at video. This is two days after meeting him. This is his first time being a bench coach, in the first two days, we sat down with the video and threw every day. He actually put a few of us in a group text and put, "94 wins" at the beginning of the year. He sent us a text every day after every single win. "93 wins. 92. 91." We ended up winning 112 this year.

 

B/R: And what happened when you guys got past 94 wins?

 

AB: He just said: "Hey, let's go. Let's keep winning. Keep winning. Keep winning. Keep winning." He was right. He was special. He was a big difference-maker in us winning the World Series.

[moonslav59]

Maybe we'll finally see how a manager can "make a difference" in a positive way.

[mvp 78]

Maybe we'll finally see how a manager can "make a difference" in a positive way.

 

The best attribute of John Farrell was "hey, I'm not Bobby Valentine!"

[sk7326]

I give Dombrowski credit for at least giving the appearance that he is trying to embrace analytics.

 

I think it is more understanding that he entered a front office which actually worked. When you are one of the league's best shops - you don't throw all of it away.