Alex Cora calls Terry Francona a ‘Hall of Fame manager’

Purple Sox managers previous and current: The Purple Sox’ opening collection for the 2026 MLB season got here in opposition to the Cincinnati Reds, managed by an previous buddy.

Terry Francona, who led the Purple Sox from 2004-2011 — main Boston to a pair of World Collection titles — is in his second season with Cincinnati. He lately spoke about Alex Cora (the present Purple Sox supervisor), who performed underneath Francona in Boston.

“He’s a simple one to love,” Francona said of Cora to Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe. “I really feel lucky to have been round so many good folks as a result of they’ve helped me get higher.”

Cora, for his half, has a excessive opinion of Francona as effectively.

“He’s a Corridor of Fame supervisor, we all know that,” Cora mentioned of Francona, per Gabrielle Starr of The Boston Herald. “It’s only a matter of when he’s going to retire. Doesn’t seem to be he desires to retire. However [I’m] excited in regards to the alternative to be right here, blessed, to say the least.”

“I realized rather a lot from him these years,” Cora added, “I realized rather a lot from him simply watching him from afar. And I do know he’s prepared for us.”

The Purple Sox finally dropped two of three in opposition to Cincinnati to open the season, however will now attempt to flip the web page with a collection in Houston in opposition to the Astros.

Trivia: Whereas managing the minor league workforce often called the Birmingham Barons within the 90s, what world famous person did Terry Francona briefly handle?

(Reply on the backside).

Trace: He was definitely extra well-known for taking part in one other sport.

Scores and schedules:

The Fleet clinched a playoff berth on Sunday with a 4-2 win over the Frost.

The Celtics received on Sunday as effectively, notching a 114-99 victory over the Hornets in Charlotte. Boston will play the Hawks in Atlanta tonight at 7:30 p.m.

And the Bruins additionally acquired a Sunday win, rallying from a 3-0 first interval deficit with a trio of third interval targets to finally win in additional time, 4-3. Boston will host the Stars on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The Purple Sox, in the meantime, misplaced 3-2 to the Reds. Subsequent up for the Purple Sox is a three-game collection in Houston in opposition to the Astros beginning tonight at 8:10 p.m.

Extra from Boston.com:

Bruins comeback: The Bruins accomplished a dramatic comeback on Sunday because of Pavel Zacha’s purpose with simply 11 seconds remaining.

BUZZER BEATER!!! 🤯

Pavel Zacha beats the buzzer with 11 seconds to go! pic.twitter.com/fOsOBHQllH

— NHL (@NHL) March 29, 2026

Jayson Tatum’s evening: With Jaylen Brown out for the evening, Tatum took over for Boston.

On this present day: In 1978, the Purple Sox acquired Corridor of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley together with Fred Kendall from Cleveland in trade for Ted Cox, Bo Díaz, Mike Paxton and Rick Smart. Eckersley went on to win 20 video games in his first season in Boston.

Day by day spotlight: Second-seeded UConn staged an inconceivable rally from 19 factors down in opposition to top-seeded Duke to clinch a spot within the Remaining 4 because of an instant-classic NCAA Match second within the remaining second. Freshman Braylon Mullins nailed a three-pointer to offer the Huskies their first lead since scoring the sport’s opening factors.

OH MY GOODNESS 😱

UCONN LEADSSSS UNBELIEVABLE #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/IPX2JWiw0b

— NCAA March Insanity (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026

Trivia reply: Michael Jordan