Alex Cora Donates $1 Million to Help Children and Families in Need, Sending Shockwaves of Admiration Across MLB
By [JOYCE] | The Athletic | July 6, 2025
BOSTON — For Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, winning baseball games is only part of the mission. On Saturday, he proved once again that his biggest victories may come far from the diamond.
In an announcement that rippled through the baseball world, Cora revealed he is donating $1 million to charities supporting underprivileged children and struggling families across New England and his native Puerto Rico. The donation, described by MLB insiders as one of the most significant personal contributions by an active manager in recent memory, drew immediate praise from fans, players, and sports figures nationwide.
“I’ve been fortunate in my career, and I feel a responsibility to give back,” Cora said during a brief press conference before Saturday’s game at Fenway Park. “There are families and kids who need help, who need hope. This is bigger than baseball.”
A Powerful Gesture Amid a Competitive Season
Cora, 49, is in the middle of a fiercely competitive season, trying to guide the Red Sox through a tight AL East race. Yet despite the relentless schedule and pressure, he found time to orchestrate a charitable act that left even his players shaking their heads in admiration.
“Skip’s always talking about family and community,” Red Sox star Rafael Devers said. “He’s not just our manager — he’s a leader in life. What he did is amazing.”
While Cora kept details modest, sources confirmed the donation will be split among several organizations. Part will go to youth development programs in Boston’s inner-city neighborhoods, while another portion will be sent to Puerto Rico to support hurricane relief efforts, youth sports leagues, and educational initiatives.
A Legacy Beyond Baseball
It’s far from the first time Cora has stepped up for communities in need. In 2017, following the devastation of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, Cora personally organized shipments of food, medical supplies, and generators to affected areas. He traveled back and forth several times, using his MLB platform to shine a spotlight on the island’s recovery efforts.
“That’s who Alex is,” said Red Sox president Sam Kennedy. “He’s a fierce competitor on the field, but he has an even bigger heart off it. He loves helping people, and he never does it for recognition.”
Yet recognition is exactly what he’s getting. Social media buzzed with tributes Saturday night, with hashtags like #CoraCares and #RedSoxHeart trending on Twitter. Even rival teams offered praise.
“Class act move by Alex Cora,” the New York Yankees tweeted from their official account. “The game is better with leaders like him.”
Fans React With Overwhelming Support
Red Sox fans at Fenway Park were still absorbing the news as they filtered into the stadium for Saturday’s matchup against the Twins. Many wore shirts reading “B Strong,” a Boston slogan that now seemed fitting for their manager’s latest gesture.
“I’ve always liked Alex as a manager,” said Chris Martinez, a season ticket holder from Worcester. “But this makes me respect him so much more as a human being. It’s just incredible.”
Others saw it as a reminder of how sports figures can use their platform for good.
“There’s so much negativity in the world,” said Mary O’Donnell, who was attending her first game of the season. “To see someone like Alex Cora do something this huge — it restores your faith in people.”
A Personal Motivation
Though Cora didn’t delve deeply into personal details during his announcement, friends say the manager’s compassion is rooted in his upbringing. Growing up in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Cora experienced both the joys and hardships of a close-knit but often struggling community.
“Alex hasn’t forgotten where he comes from,” said Eduardo Pérez, ESPN analyst and former MLB player who’s known Cora for decades. “He knows what it’s like to go without. He’s always wanted to make sure others don’t have to.”
Cora acknowledged those ties Saturday. “I grew up in a place where sometimes we didn’t have much,” he said. “Baseball gave me a chance. Now I want to help others have their chance, too.”
Baseball Still on His Mind
Despite the emotional weight of the day, Cora quickly shifted gears back to baseball, eager to keep his team focused on the season’s goals. The Red Sox, sitting at 48-38, remain very much in the playoff mix.
“I’m proud of what we’re doing off the field,” Cora said. “But we’ve got games to win. The work doesn’t stop.”
That’s classic Alex Cora: fiercely competitive, deeply compassionate, and never content to sit still.
A Gesture That Resonates
Whether or not the Red Sox make a deep postseason run this year, Cora has already secured a legacy far beyond wins and losses. His $1 million donation isn’t just a sum of money — it’s a statement about the role sports figures can play in shaping communities for the better.
“He’s making a difference,” said Kennedy. “And that’s going to be remembered long after any box score.”
As Fenway Park’s lights glowed under the July sky Saturday night, one thing was clear: Alex Cora had given baseball fans a reason to cheer that had nothing to do with the final score.