‘We stole that World Series:’ Cora bragged about Astros cheating scandal, says new book

As Boston’s first-year skipper, manager Alex Cora would occasionally brag about the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing during their 2017 championship season, alleges a new book.

Fifteen months after leading the Red Sox to a World Series title, Cora was dismissed as Red Sox manager for the 2020 season after an MLB investigation determined the former Astros bench coach was a central figure in the sports world-shaking scandal.

Evan Drellich’s upcoming book “Winning Fixes Everything” details how Cora would boast about Houston’s prolific sign stealing, particularly when drinks were flowing, according to the Boston Herald.

“We stole that (expletive) World Series,” Cora allegedly said.

Three managers and one general manager lost their jobs when the MLB exposed that the Astros had used their replay review room to decode opponent’s signs during the 2017 season.

But even before discipline was levied, members of the Red Sox allegedly knew that Croa had assisted in the cheating scandal.

“We knew the Astros did [steal signs],” another member of the Red Sox told Drellich, “because Alex Cora told us. He said that when they played the Dodgers, ‘We already knew what everybody was throwing before we even got on base. We didn’t have to get on base.’ And everybody was like, ‘What the hell does that mean?’ "

According to the Herald, Drellich’s new book also alleges that Cora was nearly fired as Astros bench coach after engaging in an intense public argument with Astros broadcaster Geoff Blum on a team bus.

“Cora was allegedly drinking too much and had it out with Blum, a TV broadcaster. Blum didn’t like that Cora turned the music up while everybody was trying to call their families, particularly given it was the first time the players were returning to Houston since Hurricane Harvey,” wrote the Herald’s Jason Mastrodonato.

The book details how the confrontation pushed former Astros manager AJ Hinch to the brink of firing Cora. According to Drellich, Cora and Hinch had a fraught and combative relationship by that point and Cora’s job was only saved due to his strong relationships with the players.

“Winning Fixes Everything” primarily focuses on the Astros’ prolific cheating scandal but touches on transgressions by the Red Sox and Yankees. The book is available for purchase on February 14.

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