The World Series begins Tuesday night at Fenway Park in Boston as the Red Sox and the Dodgers battle each other for baseball’s biggest prize. Both teams have former University of Miami Hurricanes as well.
Alex Cora, manager for Boston, and Los Angeles catcher Yasmani Grandal will represent UM when they take the field in the Fall Classic.
Cora was a member of the 1996 Canes team that went all the way to the national title game, where they wound up losing to LSU. During his time as a Hurricane, Cora was a member of the College World Series all-tournament team in 1995 and 1996.
Congratulations, Miami Hurricane Alex Cora (@ac13alex) and the rest of the World Series-bound Boston Red Sox! #RedSox | #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/pwVYRyiByd
— GO ‘CANES! (@83_87_89_91_01) October 19, 2018
As an infielder in the MLB, Cora played for six teams, and won a World Series championship with the Red Sox in 2007. Cora spent an incredible 14 seasons as a player in the Major Leagues.
Since retiring from playing in 2011, Cora has been a color analyst for ESPN, and then was the bench coach for the Houston Astros, helping them win a World Series in 2017.
Mr. Worldwide, Red Sox manager Alex Cora was at Miami's football game on Saturday against Notre Dame for the ceremonial coin toss.
— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) November 13, 2017
He played college baseball at the University of Miami. pic.twitter.com/nyLbFyWyeW
Cora became the manager for the Boston Red Sox following the 2017 season, signing a three-year deal with the historic franchise.
Congratulations to Alex Cora! The first University of Miami graduate to become a manager in #MLB. It’s all about #TheU. #RedSox #Boston pic.twitter.com/1gerIPE2Um
— ♂️Dan Spiegel Sports (@SpiegelSports) October 22, 2017
In his first season as manager, Cora led Boston to 108 wins, the most in franchise history, and also an AL East title. The Red Sox have cruised through the playoffs, and Cora became just the third rookie manager in MLB history to lead his team to the World Series.
As for Grandal, he spent 2008 through 2010 in Coral Gables with the Hurricanes and coach Jim Morris. Grandal in 2010 hit .401 with 15 home runs and was selected as the ACC Player of the Year.
Congratulations, Miami Hurricane Yasmani Grandal (@YazmanianDVL08) and the rest of the World Series-bound Los Angeles Dodgers! #Dodgers| #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/lm1XczNbul
— GO ‘CANES! (@83_87_89_91_01) October 21, 2018
Grandal was selected by the Cincinnati Reds 12th overall in the 2010 MLB Draft, though he was traded to the San Diego Padres before playing a game for the Reds. Grandal has played for both the Padres and the Dodgers.
A 2015 All-Star, Grandal has developed into one the best hitting catchers in baseball, as he has hit over 20 home runs in three consecutive seasons, including 24 in 2018.
Yasmani Grandal continuing his dominance with another home-run. pic.twitter.com/O6Lrlioyus
— Sports Notes (@TheSportsNotes) August 9, 2018
Grandal hit a solo home-run in game two against the Braves, ultimately leading the Dodgers a series against Atlanta in the NLDS, then another series win in the NLCS versus the Brewers.