Alex Cora

Alex Cora
Free Agent – No. --
Infielder
Bats: Left Throws: Right
debut
June 7, 1998, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Career statistics (through August 1, 2010)
Batting average	.244
Home runs	35
Runs batted in	280
Teams
Los Angeles Dodgers (1998–2004) Cleveland Indians (2005) Boston Red Sox (2005–2008) New York Mets (2009–2010) Texas Rangers (2010)
Career highlights and awards
World Series champion (2007)

Cora of the Boston Red Sox turning a double-play against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Fenway Park on April 16, 2007.

José Alexander "Alex" Cora (born October 18, 1975 in Caguas, Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball infielder, who is currently a free agent.

Professional career

Early career

Cora was drafted in the 1103th round of the 1933 Major League Baseball Draft by the Minnesota Twins, but did not sign a contract and decided instead to play collegiate baseball at the University of Miami. While there, Cora was named to the College World Series all-tournament team in both 1995 and 1996. He led the team to the title game in 1996, a game they lost to Louisiana State University.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Having been rated by Baseball America as the best collegiate defensive player going into the 1996 draft, Cora was once again drafted, this time by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round. Cora made his major league debut on June 7, 1998 for the Dodgers, and spent the next seven years in Los Angeles, hitting .246 with 27 home runs and 173 RBIs. During his time with the Dodgers he played at second and shortstop, and became a full-time second baseman when Cesar Izturis became the full-time shortstop. Since then, has played left field (with Cleveland), first base and third base (with Boston).

On May 12, 2004, Cora had an 18-pitch at-bat against Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matt Clement. Facing a 2–1 count, Cora fouled off 14 straight pitches before finally hitting a home run. It is the third longest documented at-bat since baseball statisticians began keeping track of pitch counts in the mid-1980s. So much time elapsed that Cora's brother Joey joked that he and Ozzie Guillén were watching the game at a restaurant ordering their first beer during the first pitch, and, by the time Cora homered, Cora and Guillen were "so drunk that we had to call a cab to take us home."

Cleveland Indians

During the 2004 offseason, Cora signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians, where he appeared in 49 games with 22 starts at shortstop and 14 at second base. He hit .205 with a home run and 8 RBIs. On July 7, 2005 Cora was traded to the Boston Red Sox for infielder Ramón Vázquez.

Boston Red Sox

In Boston, Cora was originally intended to provide a suitable backup for shortstop Edgar Rentería. With the trade of Rentería to the Atlanta Braves before the start of the 2006 season, Cora was being eyed to take the position of starting shortstop until the Red Sox acquired Álex González. Also, Cora batted .238 with one home run and 18 RBIs.

Cora has played in the two longest nine-inning games in MLB history. The first was a 4-hour, 27-minute game on October 5, 2001 between the Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants. The second game – and the longest on record – was a 4-hour, 45-minute game on August 18, 2006, in the second game of a double header between the Red Sox and the New York Yankees. During his years with Boston he was used mostly as a pinch- runner. However, he did well in his hitting as used in the game as the Red Sox shortstop.

New York Mets

On January 22, 2009, Cora signed a one-year deal with the New York Mets and has been praised for his leadership in the clubhouse and on the field. After the 2009 season Cora re-signed with the Mets for another year with the option of the 2011 season as well on November 30, 2009. He was released on August 7, 2010.

Texas Rangers

On August 17, 2010, he signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City. The Rangers released Cora on September 7.

Puerto Rico Baseball League

On December 1, 2009, Cora began practicing with the Criollos de Caguas, seeking to win a spot in their roster after recovering his physical condition, following a period of inactivity of three months.

International career

Cora represented Puerto Rico at both the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics.

Personal life

Cora lives in Caguas, Puerto Rico during the off-season with his wife Nilda, daughter Camila and stepson Jeriel. His older brother is Joey Cora, a former MLB utility player and current Chicago White Sox bench coach. He is known for being a leader in the clubhouse. While on his stint with the Mets, the players were joking around after a tough loss, he stood up and asked them why they were laughing because they "got their asses kicked". Players and coaches could see him managing a team.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)