New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone will be relieved to hear that Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora won’t face suspension by Major League Baseball (MLB) after suggesting pitcher Brayan Bello may have intentionally thrown at Yankees star Aaron Judge.
The incident took place during the Yankees’ 7-1 loss to the Red Sox on Saturday when Bello fired a 97.4 mph sinker behind Judge’s legs in the sixth inning, sparking controversy.
Following the revelation involving Cora, Aaron Boone emphasized that the Yankees have bigger priorities to focus on.
“I feel like we’re beyond this weekend. Odds are, we won’t play them again this year. We’ve got too many important things ahead to get distracted by that.”
Aaron Boone, on MLB not disciplining Alex Cora for his comments: "I feel like we're past this weekend. Chances are, we're not going to play them anymore this year. We've got too much important things going on in front of us to really get caught up in that."
Tensions flared earlier in the game when Yankees ace Gerrit Cole hit Boston slugger Rafael Devers with a pitch in the first inning. Following the game, Cora insinuated that Gerrit Cole’s pitch might have been intentional, especially given Devers’ strong track record against Cole. Devers has historically been a thorn in Cole’s side, batting .333 with eight home runs in 39 at-bats, as reported by MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch.
In the fourth inning, Cole opted to intentionally walk Devers with the bases empty, which Cora interpreted as a clear sign that Cole didn’t want to face him again after the first-inning hit-by-pitch. “He doesn’t want to face him. That’s the bottom line,” Cora told reporters after the game.
When asked whether the situation was resolved, Cora made cryptic remarks about the sixth inning, suggesting the Red Sox had a chance for retribution that didn’t materialize. “It was closed yesterday, like, around the sixth inning, so you know, we had our chance. It didn’t happen. We have to move on,” he said.
This led to an MLB investigation into Cora’s comments, as Bello’s sixth-inning pitch seemed aimed at Aaron Judge in what could have been retaliation for Cole’s earlier actions. However, after a two-day inquiry, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reported that MLB had spoken to Cora but would not suspend him for his remarks or Bello’s actions.
Aaron Judge, ever the team leader, remained composed about the situation. He acknowledged the unwritten rules of the game and how teams defend their players. “Things like that happen… something’s got to happen, and that’s the way this game kind of gets policed and has been for 100 years,” Judge said, per Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe. He also added, “So the biggest thing is don’t miss when you do it.”
Ultimately, the Yankees had the last laugh, securing a 5-2 victory on Sunday to win three out of the four games in the weekend series against their longtime rivals. The Yankees’ strong finish underscored their resilience in the face of such tensions, reinforcing their ability to keep the focus on the bigger picture—winning.
While MLB chose not to issue any suspensions, this incident highlighted the ongoing intensity between the Yankees and Red Sox, with both sides walking a fine line between protecting their players and adhering to baseball’s unwritten rules.
Amanda Paula is a sports writer with a passion for American football and a keen interest in the NY Yankees. Raised among Americans in Brazil, Mandy's unique cultural background has greatly influenced her career and provided her with a diverse perspective on the world of sports.
Born and raised in Brazil, Amanda developed a deep appreciation for sports at a young age. Growing up in a community with a robust American presence, she was exposed to various sports, but baseball captivated her heart. Inspired by the passion and tactics of the game, Amanda dedicated herself to studying and understanding the intricacies of the sport.
Amanda's love for American sports and soccer led her to pursue a career in sports journalism. She obtained a degree in journalism from a prestigious university, where she honed her skills in writing and reporting. Her studies gave her a solid foundation in journalism ethics, research methodologies, and effective storytelling techniques.
After completing her education, Amanda embarked on her professional journey as a sports writer. Her unique background as a Brazilian immersed in American culture gave her a fresh perspective on American sports.
Did anyone really expect Cora to be punished for this offense? I didn’t. MLB caught the Red Sox cheating with Apple watches and instead of punishing them right away, they waited for the Yankees to do something retaliation for MLB doing nothing. Then once they caught the Yankees readying their own cheating thing 3 weeks later, they swooped in and punished both equally. Whatever! Cora skates again.
Top Stories
Join the Pinstripes Nation!
Your Daily Dose of Yankees Magic Delivered to Your Inbox.
Did anyone really expect Cora to be punished for this offense? I didn’t. MLB caught the Red Sox cheating with Apple watches and instead of punishing them right away, they waited for the Yankees to do something retaliation for MLB doing nothing. Then once they caught the Yankees readying their own cheating thing 3 weeks later, they swooped in and punished both equally. Whatever! Cora skates again.