Everybody can hit, but defense wins chips.
The time is right for Alex Cora To Become MLB’s Managerial Face
Alex Cora makes history as the second Latino manager to win a World Series. He follows in the footsteps of fiery Chi-town White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen in 2005. His victory will cement the arrival of the all-around dominance of the Latino in MLB.
When Cora and Washington Nationals skipper Dave Martinez were hired prior to the 2018 season, I wrote a piece called, “The Age of the Latino Manager Is Here” highlighting the fact that they were just the 11th and 12th managers with Latino blood in MLB history, but represented a changing culture in diversity hiring for MLB managers.
They joined Mexican-American Chicago White Sox skipper Rick Renteria as the three Hispanic managers in MLB. The sport has never experienced the energy of three, full-time Latino managers.
James Wagner on Twitter
Alex Cora is the first Puerto Rican manager to reach the World Series. What that means for him, baseball, his island and Boston: https://t.co/kEdXIwFKhe
Cora’s managerial foe Dave Roberts also has a chance to make history as the second African-American manager to win a World Series and first of Japanese descent. But few folks feel that this Dodgers team can match the all-around dominance of Boston. The Dodgers have tremendous power, but they strike out too much.
Latinos have increasingly blessed nearly every aspect of MLB from its elite players to its expanding fan base. Organizations such as the Miami Marlins are acknowledging where its fan power lies and implementing new language requirements and embracing the unique and spirited baseball traditions and cultural habits of Latino baseball fans.
Alex Cora, Dave Roberts On A Collision Course To Boost MLB Diversity
Jackie Robinson called out MLB for its lack of black managers on Oct. 15, 1972, at Game 2 of the World Series. MLB was commemorating the 25th anniversary of Robinson shattering the color barrier.
A win for Cora is a win for MLB and evidence that the Latin influence is respected at the highest levels of the sport.
2. They have the best player in the game.
Mookie Betts had some near MVP misses and is coming off a tremendous 30-30 season. The Red Sox outfielder will finally get his due this year, but not before winning the World Series MVP. Expect Betts to have a huge series and solidify his place among the game’s current greats.
3. Everybody can hit in the MLB, but defense wins chips.
They have the best defensive outfield in the game.
Kai Zelaya on Twitter
If it wasn’t for the @RedSox outfield the series would be A WHOLE lot different with @mookiebetts amazing catch, @JackieBradleyJr hot bat, and @asben16 Superman catch to save the game. Congratulation let’s win this one tonight!! #DoDamage https://t.co/7StIAQGc4K
During the regular season, the Red Sox’s cumulative outfield wins above replacement of 11.5 was the best in all of baseball. That defensive prowess was on full display in an ALCS win over the Astros in six games.
Via nesn.com, “From Jackie Bradley Jr.’s go-ahead, two-run home run in the sixth inning; to Mookie Betts’ incredible play and throw to cut down Tony Kemp trying to stretch an eighth-inning single into a double; to Benintendi’s game-saving catch, Boston’s outfield brilliance was on full display.
“We do feel that we have the best outfield in the big leagues,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said after the game. “The effort by Mookie on the ball at the wall, the effort on the Tony Kemp ball down the line and then (Benintendi) taking a chance there. Those three guys, when they’re together, they’re pretty special.” Of course, this is nothing new”.
Mookie Betts Defensive Highlights 2017 (Boston Red Sox)
Mookie is ranked the best defender in the MLB by UZR (21.1 to 15.6 lead over Andrelton Simmons). Mookie is also first in the majors in UZR/150, 1st in RngR, 5th in defensive WAR and 2nd in ARM. All stats calculated by Fangraphs.
In addition to Betts, a two-time Gold Glove winner, the Red Sox have the league’s premier defensive center fielder in Jackie Bradley Jr, who has displayed Willie Mays-esque defensive abilities since entering the league.
Jackie Bradley Jr. Defensive Highlights 2017 (Boston Red Sox)
Bradley Jr. finished in 7th for defensive WAR out of CF’s. Jackie also had what will probably be the catch of the year which occured when he robbed Judge of a home run in deep center at Fenway.
Add the dazzling defense of left fielder Andrew Benintendi into the mix and trying to get a ball to drop in against Boston is like trying to stop LA Rams running back Todd Gurley from getting into the end zone.
Nate Gilbert on Twitter
good morning everyone here’s andrew benintendi’s catch set to titanic music https://t.co/6z10ZcQhb1
