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Astros: Alex Cora Named Team’s Bench Coach
By Cody Poage
The Astros wasted no time in naming their newest bench coach for the upcoming 2017 season.
Following the surprise decision of Trey Hillman to pursue a manager opportunity in South Korea, the Astros were left looking for another bench coach. And it looks like the team found one in former major league infielder, Alex Cora.
The #Astros have named 14-year Major League veteran Alex Cora (@ac13alex) as their bench coach.
— Houston Astros (@astros) November 15, 2016
Cora, 41, has been a part of major league baseball for quite some time. He played with six franchises (Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, and Washington Nationals) in 14 seasons. As of late, Cora has been a member of ESPN as a baseball color analyst. And also a frequent name in manager searches in recent years.
The hiring of Cora has been met with positive reactions around the baseball world. Many agree that the Astros only improved their coaching staff yesterday.
@ac13alex great move for astris. Smart and able to relate with everyone. Manager within 3 years. Good luck my friend. You will be missed
— Karl Ravech (@karlravechespn) November 15, 2016
My man @ac13alex gets the nod as Bench Coach for the Astros. So they pretty much have two managers now. They just got better. #baseballmind
— Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) November 15, 2016
What a great day for my man @ac13alex. New Astros bench coach! Well deserved. Houston just got better.
— Mike Lowell (@mikelowell25) November 16, 2016
Cora joins a staff that has experienced some success in its first two seasons under A.J. Hinch. His presence is hoped to assist a talented, yet still young, ball club improve in 2017. And this is an audition of sorts as he surely aims to be a major league manager one day.
In fact, Hinch spoke highly of Cora’s abilities and the talent he adds to the coaching staff. His addition seems to have the Astros manager even more ready for the upcoming season.
AJ Hinch on Alex Cora: "I'm thrilled to get him b/c of his talent.He's got great baseball acumen. He can come in & make an immediate impact"
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) November 16, 2016
And Cora himself seems to be ready for the challenge of helping to lead the Astros into next year.
Alex Cora on joining #Astros "Who doesn't want to b part of an exciting team that has a shot to win it.I was very happy when they called me"
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) November 16, 2016
For the Astros to actually land a man like Cora on their coaching staff has to be a win. His experience and ability to relate to the players will surely be valuable.
While the attention of the offseason has been on the free agent and trade markets, a solid coaching staff is needed for any team to have success. And it appears that Houston’s staff has improved in time for the upcoming season.