Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Takes a Stand for Puerto Rico by Saying No to White House Invitation

May 6, 2019
10:13 AM

Alex Cora last year after the Boston Red Sox won the 2018 World Series (Photo via Cora’s Twitter page)

We are taking a minute here at Latino Rebels to public acknowledge and celebrate Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (a son of Caguas, Puerto Rico) for deciding over the weekend that he will not be visiting the White House this Thursday when the 2018 World Series champions are scheduled to be honored by President Trump.

As Cora told El Nuevo Día:

“Puerto Rico is very important to me. During the winter I spent a lot of time back home, visiting my family and friends. Unfortunately, we are still struggling, still fighting. Some people still lack basic necessities, others remain without electricity and many homes and schools are in pretty bad shape almost a year and a half after Hurricane María struck. Even though the United States government has helped, there’s still a long road ahead and that is OUR reality. I’ve used my voice on many occasions so that Puerto Ricans are not forgotten and my absence [from the White House] is no different. As such, at this moment, I don’t feel comfortable celebrating in the White House.”

“I want to emphasize that this is a personal decision and that it does not reflect, in any way, the sentiment of our organization,” Cora added. “All individuals have beliefs that need to be respected. I want to thank the Red Sox for respecting my stance. I’m proud of this team and I feel fortunate to be a part of this great franchise.”

Good for Cora, who joins Red Sox stars such as Mookie Betts and David Price for saying no to Trump. Other players not showing up are Christian Vázquez (also Puerto Rican), Rafael Devers and Jackie Bradley, Jr.

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