Red Sox manager Alex Cora deserves an apology from MLB

Red Sox skipper is a victim of baseball’s arbitrary punishment

Red Sox manager Alex Cora cheated while being bench coach of the Houston Astros. The Astros eventually won a World Series title, and Cora, manager AJ Hinch, and GM Jeff Luhnow paid a steep price. Hinch and Luhnow became casualties, being suspended and fired. Cora resigned/ was fired and after a year’s hiatus rehired by the Red Sox. Hinch was hired as manager of the Detroit Tigers once his suspension was concluded.

Cora’s implication is, without any doubt. There is no excuse for the risky and unethical behavior and failure to comply with Hinch’s cease and desist order regarding cheating. The players implicated were given immunity in exchange for testimony. Now it is time to expunge the records of Cora, Hinch, and Luhnow.

The Commissioner of Baseball, Rob Manfred, may be considered the high priest of baseball, and it is time for absolution. Or possibly a presidential pardon if one considers Manfred as such a category in his role as commish.

Manfred has dirt on his hands, and it seems to be accumulating. The spider tack, just what was known? More importantly, is what is under the radar in doctoring baseballs – two sets of baseballs used. That approach certainly takes “balls,” and what was suspected by players is now a fait accompli. Naturally, a song and dance ensued from MLB that would stun the most accomplished of tap dancers.

Was MLB cheating? The heavier balls provided that one driver that MLB worships – the long ball, dinger, home rum, etc. Ever since Babe Ruth showed the power to fill seats with blasts, the temptation existed. When pitchers get the edge, then out comes the modifications.

In 1968 it was dubbed “The Year of The Pitcher” as ERAs took charge over distance. That bad-for-business moment resulted in changing the height of the mound to make a shift to offense.

The dirty laundry of the PED era was a wink, wink, and nod, nod to the apparent machinations going on. If MLB was blissfully unaware, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn. Now the baseballs have again become the tool of choice. Of course, from MLB and Manfred, all you heard were crickets.

So let’s wipe the slate clean in this pot meet kettle situation. On one level, cheating is a criminal crime to the baseball enforcers, but the highest of authorities get a free pass on another level. Manfred can once again skip away unscathed while others will pay a price far larger than the crimes they committed.

Cora did what he did, but at this point, that needs to be history. Cora should receive (and Hinch and Luhnow) a formal apology from the Commissioners Office. As far as I can determine, Luhnow is still unemployed in baseball. Maybe, Astros owner Jim Crane can reinstate him?

I doubt any apology will be extended since it is an after-the-fact situation. I question the double standard that exists in the high crimes of baseball, but baseball has already realized and admitted to past indiscretions regarding race. An apology would be a formal admittance of an overzealous approach by MLB.

Since I am ranting, Pete Rose is a genuinely dislikable individual whose expulsion should be reviewed. Rose’s crime is twofold – gambling and a pattern of lies regarding his actions. Now baseball is up to their eyebrows in gaming with lottery connections, fantasy betting, and associations with casinos. Get Pete and Shoeless Joe Jackson into the Baseball Hall of Fame.