MLB’s Puerto Rican managers shine in 2024 coaching lineup

Red Sox manager Alex Cora talks to coaches after starting pitcher workouts during spring training in Fort Myers, Fla., Feb. 15, 2024. He is returning to his sixth season with the team. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

By Mivette Vega

February 20, 2024

Several managers will return to their teams, while others will debut wearing new jerseys and positions.

Puerto Rico boasts a significant presence in Major League Baseball’s (MLB) coaching roster this season, with 17 managers hailing from the island.

Alex Cora, in his sixth season with the Boston Red Sox, remains a standout figure. Notably, Cora led the Red Sox to a triumphant World Series victory in his 2018 debut year.

Dave Martínez will begin his seventh season with the Washington Nationals.

Josué “Joe” Espada will debut with the Houston Astros as manager. He has a long MLB career as an MLB coach since 2010, in teams like the Miami Marlins and the New York Yankees, and he won the World Series championship in 2022 with the Astros as a coach.

Alex Cintrón will continue as hitting coach for the Astros.

RELATED: Puerto Rican players gear up for action in MLB spring training

Former pitcher José “Cheo” Rosado will debut in a new role with the New York Mets as bullpen coach.

Víctor Rodríguez will change teams and move from an assistant hitting coach for the Cleveland Guardians into a hitting coach for the San Diego Padres.

Alex Cora’s brother, Joey Cora, will also change teams, as he will debut with the Detroit Tigers as third base coach.

Other noteworthy positions occupied by Puerto Ricans are: first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. for the Cleveland Guardians and Kris Negrón for the Seattle Mariners in the same position; Juanchi Nieves as assistant coach for the Detroit Tigers; and Aaron Bates as hitting coach for the L.A. Dodgers, among others.

Author

Mivette Vega

Mivette Vega is a seasoned journalist and multimedia reporter whose stories center the Latino community. She is passionate about justice, equality, environmental matters, and animals. She is a Salvadorrican—Salvadorian that grew up in Puerto Rico—that has lived in San Juan, Venice, Italy, and Miami.

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CATEGORIES: COMMUNITY | SPORTS

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