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Red Sox 2017 Review: Top 10 moments of the year

By Sean Penney

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 09: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with Mookie Betts #50 after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros during game four of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 9, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 09: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with Mookie Betts #50 after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros during game four of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 9, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – MAY 16: Bench coach Alex Cora (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – MAY 16: Bench coach Alex Cora (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

New manager

Consecutive division titles and a World Series ring four short years ago wasn’t enough to save the job of manager John Farrell.

Fans had been calling for the dismissal of Farrell for a few years now. That’s no surprise given that any season that doesn’t end with a parade sparks a torch-carrying mob of angry fans who want everyone associated with the team to be fired. They finally got their wish when Farrell was let go shortly after the Red Sox were eliminated in the postseason.

It didn’t take long after that for the Red Sox to target his replacement, naming Alex Cora as his successor. The former bench coach of the World Champion Houston Astros is a great choice to take over this team. He’s known for his ability to communicate with players and build a rapport, which is something Farrell failed to do with the young core of this team.

Cora is familiar with the pressures of the Boston market, having played for the Red Sox from 2005-2008.

While he has no Major League experience as a manager, Cora has managed in Puerto Rico during Winter League. 2017 was his first season on a Major League coaching staff. He lacks experience but is highly respected around baseball and was widely considered to be one of the next top managerial prospects long before Boston’s brass interviewed him for the position.

Next: Can the Red Sox trade Hanley Ramirez?

The Red Sox have a talented roster that stagnated under the leadership of Farrell. Several veterans had down seasons and the emerging young stars struggled to take a leap forward. It was time for a change. While there is some uncertainty in how they will perform under the unproven Cora, the arrival of a new manager offers hope for a better season in 2018.

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