Alex Cora. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced on Sunday that he will not be visiting the White House.
The Red Sox are set to visit the White House on Thursday after a three-game series in Baltimore.
In a statement to El Nuevo Dia, Cora acknowledged he made the decision because his native Puerto Rico is still suffering from 2017's Hurricane Maria, and that he disapproves of how President Donald Trump's administration handled the recovery.
“As the report said, we still have a long ways to go. You know, that’s our reality. Pretty tough to go celebrate when we’re in where we’re at. I’d rather not go and just be consistent with everything,” Cora said.
Cora said the team understands his decision. The visit is optional. Several other members of the team will be missing the trip, including Mookie Betts, David Price, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Rafael Devers, Christian Vazquez, and Hector Velazquez.
Twenty major sports teams have won championships since Trump took office, but only ten have celebrated with the President at the White House.
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WBZ NewsRadio's Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) reports