When Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora missed a key game against the New York Mets this week, it wasn’t due to injury, illness, or professional obligation. Instead, he was just down the road at Boston College, watching his daughter, Camila, walk across the stage to receive her diploma. And despite the criticism he’s received for the decision, Cora says he wouldn’t change a thing.“This was just the day that we will always remember,” Cora, 49, told reporters during a press briefing on Tuesday, May 20, reflecting on the milestone moment. “It was her day — this is secondary.”
A manager’s absence sparks controversy
Cora’s absence raised eyebrows among Boston’s passionate sports media, particularly when reports emerged that the graduation ceremony had taken place earlier in the day — leaving enough time, critics argued, for the Red Sox skipper to return in time for the evening matchup at Fenway Park. The suggestion: family is important, yes — but so is managing a major league baseball team during a regular season series.
Prominent Boston sports commentator Mike Felger, of 98.5 The Sports Hub, didn’t hold back. “Preposterous,” he said of Cora’s decision, suggesting that a short cab ride could have brought him back to Fenway well before first pitch. “They were, I believe, done by noon, which means you can have a nice big party in the middle of the day… then manage the game.” But for Cora, no public backlash — no matter how loud — could outweigh what that moment meant to his daughter and his family.
Fatherhood over baseball
In the world of professional sports, where game schedules are sacred and absences can spark widespread speculation, Cora’s choice was a quiet but powerful statement: family comes first. “She wanted me to be with her,” Cora said plainly. “And it was her day, so this is secondary.” For Cora, the opportunity to be present at a milestone that only comes once in a lifetime far outweighed the pull of the dugout.
The manager emphasized that his role as a father has always been a driving force in his life. “We’re in this world for a purpose, right? And for me, it’s to raise her, try to do the best we can,” he said. “Obviously, it wasn’t perfect, but right now, it’s perfect.”
It’s not just sentimentality, either — it’s a statement about values, priorities, and identity. Cora, who has guided the Red Sox to postseason glory and navigated the highs and lows of a demanding career, made clear that no job title can compete with being a father.
Media pushback and a calm response
Criticism of Cora’s absence wasn’t limited to talk radio; local sports outlets and fans took to social media to debate whether a major league manager should ever miss a game — particularly one that, technically, he could have attended. But Cora has been unfazed. “People have their own opinions,” he said, shrugging off the noise. “I bet those people, they have families too, and at one point they had to make decisions. And I bet they made decisions for the best of the family. I made the best decision for my daughter.”
His tone wasn’t combative, just firm — a man standing behind a deeply personal choice. “For those who don’t understand,” he added, “I’m not gonna try to convince them. It is what it is.”
Notably, Cora pointed out that had the graduation been out of state, he would’ve had to miss more than one game. Instead, he was fortunate that the event took place so close to Fenway — a blessing he wasn’t going to squander by rushing off halfway through the day.
On-field results speak for themselves
Ironically, the team’s performance may have done more to quiet the controversy than any press conference. The Red Sox won Monday’s game — the one Cora missed — and followed it up with another win in game two of the series, bringing their record to an even .500 and keeping hopes alive for a strong summer push.
It’s a small but potent reminder that leadership is bigger than presence alone. Cora has earned a reputation as a player-focused manager, someone who values the human side of the game just as much as the analytics and the strategy. His players have often spoken of his loyalty and emotional intelligence — traits that were on full display this week.
Moreover, his absence wasn’t about abandoning his team. It was about showing up for someone who needed him more in that moment. For a daughter whose childhood was likely filled with sacrifices so her father could manage a big-league team, this was a rare day where the roles reversed.
A broader statement about priorities
Alex Cora’s decision to attend his daughter’s graduation instead of a mid-season game won’t change the standings. But it might shift how we think about balance — especially in high-stakes, high-visibility roles like his.
In a culture that often glorifies grind, hustle, and never missing a day, Cora made a rare move: he chose presence over performance, meaning over metrics. It’s a story not just about sports, but about fatherhood, humanity, and the legacy we choose to leave.
For some, it was just one game. For Camila, it was the moment her dad chose her — and made it clear that even under the bright lights of Major League Baseball, family wins.
