The Boston Red Sox were seemingly dead in the water. At 10-19, they were dead last in the AL East, their place behind the Orioles a source of embarrassment. One had to imagine that the Red Sox would turn things around at some point, but it was a matter of finding that catalyst.
It turns out that Alex Cora was the key to getting the Red Sox back on track; or, to be specific, his beard was. Cora shaved his facial hair after Boston fell to 10-19 and it turned out to be just the sacrifice that the baseball gods demanded.
Alex Cora gets Boston Red Sox back on track
Those offending follicles gone, the Red Sox have once again been blessed by the baseball gods. They have gone on a 17-8 run, their 5-2 victory over the A’s on Sunday pushing them back to .500. That win also meant something else, as they now have possession of the final Wild Card spot.
The Red Sox have had some help as they have suddenly become a playoff team. The Angels have been on a ridiculous cold streak, losing their last 11 consecutive games to not only surrender the AL West, but also fall below .500. In fact, the American League as a whole has just six teams that are playing .500 ball or better. This is not exactly a powerhouse of a league.
Baseball players are superstitious beings. That is the case with coaches and managers as well, especially those who had longer playing careers. As the Red Sox started winning when Cora picked up the razor, it may be a very long time until that beard comes back, if it ever does.
The Boston Red Sox are back in a playoff spot. It turns out that Alex Cora held the key to their success in his hand, or on his face, all along.