Why Alex Cora Knows Red Sox Fans Will Love Alex Bregman At Fenway Park

BOSTON — Alex Cora cannot wait for the Fenway Faithful to watch Alex Bregman play at a high level in a Red Sox uniform.

Boston’s move to sign Bregman to a three-year deal just before spring training capped a significant offseason for the Red Sox, even more so after this week’s contract extensions for Garrett Crochet and Kristian Campbell.

Red Sox fans have seen plenty of Bregman over the years after three playoff meetings against him with the Houston Astros in 2017, 2018 and 2021. Still, Cora believes “people have no idea” what kind of impact Bregman makes daily.

“Every rep, every pitch, it’s like, ‘This is it,'” Cora said Friday.

Cora highlighted Bregman’s insistence on making a lengthy spring training road trip when the Red Sox played the Baltimore Orioles. Bregman faced former teammate Charlie Morton on the mound and that extra look paid off when the Red Sox third baseman homered off the Baltimore starter in Thursday’s series-clinching win over the Orioles.

“There’s always something with him that drives him to be great,” Cora said. “I’m actually excited for the fan base to see him play every day here at Fenway Park. It’s going to be fun.”

The Red Sox manager also hinted at another story to support the work ethic Bregman brings to his new club and reiterated the story with NESN’s Tom Caron.

It only felt right after Cora’s praise when Bregman cashed in with a double in his first Fenway Park at-bat to score Jarren Duran, putting the Red Sox on the board in a five-run first inning.

Cora wanted another right-handed bat to mash at Fenway and put the ball over the Green Monster. Bregman does that, plays desirable defense and leads on and off the field. The Red Sox brought him in to boost performance and culture, which he’s done so far for Boston.