In a tension-filled showdown at Fenway Park on Saturday, Major League Baseball made the decision not to suspend Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora after his post-game comments hinted at possible retaliatory actions. Cora's remarks suggested that the Red Sox attempted to hit New York Yankees star Aaron Judge in response to Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole seemingly hitting Rafael Devers deliberately.
The intense rivalry was on full display as the Red Sox secured a decisive 7-1 victory over the Yankees. The game’s friction began to boil over in the fourth inning when Cole chose to intentionally walk Red Sox third baseman Devers despite the absence of baserunners and only one out on the board. Devers' impressive track record against Cole—holding a .341 batting average with eight home runs out of 41 at-bats—was certainly a factor in the decision.
However, the most contentious moment came during the sixth inning when Red Sox starter Brayan Bello threw a pitch behind Judge’s knees, narrowly missing the Yankees' formidable slugger. The throw was perceived by many as an act of retaliation, heightening the already palpable tension between the two teams.
"I felt like the first at-bat, he hit him on purpose. He doesn’t wanna face him, that’s the bottom line," Cora stated post-game. "He told us with the intentional walk that the first at-bat he hit him. We’ll leave it at that. After that, he had bases loaded and had to face him."
MLB was quick to launch an investigation into Cora's comments and the incident itself. Despite thorough scrutiny, the league was unable to find concrete evidence to justify any disciplinary action against Cora. Thus, no suspensions were handed down.
Cora did not retreat from his stance, reiterating his belief that Cole’s actions were deliberate. "We took exception to [the hit by pitch] because it was loud and clear that he didn’t want to face him. It was intentional, I’m not gonna back off. It was intentional."
The game’s competitive edge only seemed to fuel the Red Sox’s performance at the plate, ultimately battering Cole to the tune of a 7-1 loss. Their relentless offense marked a significant downfall for Cole, who had previously been a formidable opponent on the mound.
Prior to Saturday’s clash, Devers had already cemented his status as a strong impediment to Cole’s success. All eight of his home runs against Cole came between 2021 and 2024, with their most recent encounter on July 6 seeing Devers go deep during his final at-bat against the Yankees' ace.
Reflecting on the game’s events, Cora noted, "It was closed [Saturday] around the sixth inning. We had our chance. It didn’t happen." A comment that points to missed opportunities by both sides in addressing the palpable friction.
As MLB moves on from the event without further action, the Red Sox and Yankees are left to pick up the pieces from yet another heated chapter in their storied rivalry. The unfolding drama at Fenway Park is a stark reminder of how deep and enduring the tensions run between these two iconic franchises.