Alex Cora reportedly had an opportunity to take over the Philadelphia Phillies months ago. He turned it down. But according to a new report, that door may not be closed.
It was reported Sunday that Cora is likely to become Philadelphia’s next manager if interim skipper Don Mattingly fails to lead the Phillies to at least the World Series this season. That sets up an unusually high bar for Mattingly, especially considering how dramatically Philadelphia’s season has improved since he took over.
Cora Already Had a Chance at the Phillies Job
Cora, 50, was fired by the Boston Red Sox on April 25 following a 10-17 start. According to the report, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski offered Cora the Philadelphia managerial job the very next day.
The connection between the two is already well established. Dombrowski was running baseball operations in Boston when Cora managed the Red Sox to a World Series championship in 2018.
Cora declined Philadelphia’s offer.
Two days later, on April 28, the Phillies fired Rob Thomson and handed the club to Mattingly on an interim basis. What followed gave Philadelphia even more reason to keep Mattingly around.
Mattingly Has Put Philadelphia Back in the Race
The Phillies have gone 57-39 under the 65-year-old manager and entered Sunday tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres for the final two National League wild-card positions.
Mattingly has also made it clear he wants to keep the job. Last month, he indicated that he would like to return as Philadelphia’s manager in 2027.
Another family connection exists within the organization. Mattingly joined the Phillies in January on a two-year contract to serve as Thomson’s bench coach, while his son, Preston Mattingly, is Philadelphia’s general manager.
The elder Mattingly brings plenty of managerial experience. Across 13 seasons managing the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins and Phillies, he has compiled a 946-989 record. He managed the Dodgers from 2011 through 2015 and the Marlins from 2016 through 2022, winning National League Manager of the Year honors in 2020.
A World Series Berth Could Decide What Happens Next
Cora’s résumé includes a championship, but also controversy.
He owns a 620-541 managerial record, all accumulated with Boston during stints from 2018-19 and 2021-25, and his first season as Red Sox manager ended with Boston winning the 2018 World Series.
Cora did not manage in 2020 after being suspended for his role in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal while serving as the club’s bench coach.
For now, Mattingly controls the Phillies’ dugout and has put the team firmly into the playoff race after taking over a struggling club. But if USA Today’s report proves accurate, simply reaching October may not be enough to secure his future.
The standard is much higher: get Philadelphia all the way to the World Series, or Cora could once again find himself working for Dombrowski.
