Alex Cora Won’t Go to the White House with the Red Sox
He cited the president's response to Hurricane Maria.
Photo via AP/Jae C. Hong
Red Sox Manager Alex Cora is skipping the team’s visit to the White House. He told reporters Sunday that he made the decision not to go meet President Trump because of his underwhelming response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in his native Puerto Rico.
Cora’s decision comes after a 9-2 win over the White Sox in Chicago. After his announcement, Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts said he also won’t be going, but didn’t cite any reasoning.
David Price, Mookie Betts, Christian Vasquez, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Rafael Devers will also not be in attendance.
No MVP (Mookie Betts), now no manager (Alex Cora said he's not going to the White House). Wonder if President Trump will un-invite the Red Sox to the White House?
— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) May 5, 2019
The Red Sox are due to go to the capital on their day off Thursday. Trump has been busy entertaining lately, hosting a nice and awkward visit with the Baylor women’s basketball team last Monday and Masters champion Tiger Woods today.
In his statement for El Nuevo Día, a Puerto Rican newspaper, he explained why his hometown pride and conscience wouldn’t let him step inside the Oval Office.
“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,” wrote Cora. “As such, at this moment, I don’t feel comfortable celebrating in the White House.”
Alex Cora confirms he will not go to the White House.
Cora said he discussed this with his loved ones and he thinks not going is the best decision for him.
— Guerin Austin (@guerinaustin) May 5, 2019
Cora had previously said that he would accompany his team on their presidential visit. However, he said that after talking to friends and family, he decided against showing any form of support (however passive) for Trump and his policies.
“The government has done some things back home that are great, but we still have a long ways to go,” Cora said after Sunday’s win. “That’s our reality. It’s pretty tough to go celebrate when we’re where we’re at. I’d rather not go and be consistent with everything.”
The Sox are stopping in D.C. after a three-game series at Baltimore. Who knows, if you’re in the area Monday, you may catch Cora and Bogaerts browsing the Smithsonian or hitting the memorials to kill the time.
