Alex Cora announces he won't visit White House with Red Sox: 'I don't feel comfortable'

Alexis Mansanarez

Alex Cora announces he won't visit White House with Red Sox: 'I don't feel comfortable' image

Alex Cora announced Sunday he won't be joining the Red Sox at the capital.

The World Series winning manager, a native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, said he'll be skipping the event.

“Puerto Rico is very important to me. During the winter I spent a lot of time back home, visiting my family and friends. Unfortunately, we are still struggling, still fighting," he wrote in a letter to the El Nuevo Dia. "Some people still lack basic necessities, others remain without electricity and many homes and schools are in pretty bad shape almost a year and a half after Hurricane María struck.

“Even though the United States Government has helped, there’s still a long road ahead and that is OUR reality. I’ve used my voice on many occasions so that Puerto Ricans are not forgotten and my absence (from the White House) is no different. As such, at this moment, I don’t feel comfortable celebrating in the White House."

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Boston was originally scheduled to visit the White House on February 15, but the trip was postponed.

Cora had previously planned to go, but then reconsidered in January.

He said his final decision was made “after a long process of reflection, consideration and understanding from my loved ones."

Cora, who is in his second season as manager of the Red Sox, isn't the only one from the organization that won't be attending. 

There are 11 players, including Mookie Betts, David Price and Puerto Rican native Christian Vazquez, that have said they will not attend, according to a report from the Boston Globe.

 

Alexis Mansanarez