Ron Roenicke on former Red Sox manager Alex Cora: ‘Alex should be managing’

Ron Roenicke was emotional after his final game as the Red Sox manager on Sunday afternoon.

Roenicke was told before the game by chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom that he would not be returning in 2021.

After the Sox’ 9-1 win over the Braves to wrap up the 2020 season, Roenicke shared his feelings on the decision.

“I know how hard I worked,” he said. “I know the difficulties of the season for everybody. I think what I really wanted to do was I wanted to manage this team this year. I thought that was the right thing to do. I thought that was the best thing to do. So I’m happy about that. I’m happy that Chaim and his crew came in and had me do that, that they gave me the opportunity to do that. I thought that was really important.

“Then after that, whether it’s fair or not, I think when a new GM comes in, I think he should have some time to get people that he knows and a manager in place that he wants.”

Roenicke’s Red Sox finished 24-36 for the fourth-worst record in MLB this season. Only the Pirates, Rangers and Tigers were worse, though much of the blame could be put on the front office for the ultra-thin roster that was provided.

The pitching staff finished with a 5.58 ERA, 28th in MLB.

“We know we had to get through this year, but I think it’s for the future, and I wasn’t his guy for the future,” Roenicke said. “And I think you have to click with the GM or president of baseball operations or whatever the title is. I think it’s really important that the manager and whoever’s in charge, they don’t have to agree on everything, but they need to have the same goals and feel the same way about things.

“My relationship, I think, was good with Chaim. I enjoyed him. I enjoyed all the crew, Brian O’Halloran and the crew, so it’s just hard to answer whether I think it’s fair or not. I think it’s just, it’s baseball.”

Roenicke said he’d like to keep working in baseball but will be patient until he finds a job he likes.

Cora on their minds

Roenicke was asked about former manager Alex Cora, whose one-year suspension will end after the World Series, and if that weighed on him all season.

“No, never,” Roenicke said. “And the reason I can say that is because Alex should be managing. And I don’t want to go into all the situations that happened in Houston. He knows what he did he shouldn’t have done, but Alex is a good manager. He’s a good person. He cares about the players. He cares about people. And he did a really good job. For just stepping in his first year, it was outstanding. So, if Alex is – I’m hoping he does this again, whether it’s here or somewhere else, he should be managing. I’ve seen a lot of managers, and he’s really good.”

Xander Bogaerts said he still talks to Cora a lot.

“He’s someone who had an impact on my life, my career also,” Bogaerts said. “Him and Roenicke, my battery mate that made us win the World Series in 2018 and all the other coaches that have been here a while now. Those two guys have had a big impact on me. I talk to him. But don’t get into any of those type topics. He has some tremendous respect for the job I do right now and appreciating every day I show up to the ballpark with Ron being our manager. It’s been a  tough situation for him but he’s handled it like an extreme pro like he is throughout his career. The respect he has as a coach, manager, it’s unbelievable.”

Bloom said he wasn’t sure yet if any Roenicke’s coaches will return next year.

Players will miss Roenicke

Roenicke was the players’ choice for 2020 and was well-liked from his time as Cora’s bench coach.

“With the run we had these last couple of years, I feel like he was just the perfect guy for the situation with this tough year,” said Bogaerts. “It was tough coming to the ballpark, especially losing a lot, and he just found a good way to communicate with us and try to make you feel good and important to come to the ballpark every day to show up and play.

“He’s definitely someone that we will miss. It was a tough year.”

The players gave Roenicke a lot of credit for keeping the team coronavirus-free from start to finish. There were 22 teams that contracted the virus during the year and the Sox were not one of them.

“He’s helped a lot of us,” Bogaerts said. “He’s been in the game so long. Guys like him, (bench coach Jerry Narron), those guys have so many stories. I like hearing stories. They can tell you that. I like hearing older stories about guys they played with. And these guys had a lot. When you’re having a rough day you can go to them and they’ll put a smile on your face with any type of story you never heard of. Those are good memories I’ll remember.

“This wasn’t the best year we’ve had. It was tough. Guys couldn’t be around their families and couldn’t leave their hotel room. It’s been rough. Everyone in the organization did a great job preventing the virus from getting in the clubhouse. We had a huge accomplishment keeping us safe.”

JBJ finishes strong before free agency

Jackie Bradley Jr. had a memorable final game in a Red Sox uniform before he hits the free agent market.

The longtime center fielder made a ridiculous play at the wall, which he slammed into as he hauled in a catch to rob Ozzie Albies of extra bases.

At the plate, Bradley hit leadoff and went 3-for-6 with a double and a home run.

The 30-year-old finished the season hitting .283 with an .814 OPS, his best offensive year he was an All-Star in 2016.

“He’s been through a lot here,” Bogaerts said. “We all know how good he is with a glove. We don’t need to speak about that anymore because he’s obviously one of the best in the game to do that. For him to be consistent with the bat this year, that was really nice. He’ll be very proud looking back on the season he had. He finished on a strong note.

“I hope he can stay here. I wish him nothing but the best for him and his family. He’s one of those guys who is a true, real, great person. Those guys deserve a lot.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/36bFRkh