DETROIT — Red Sox manager Alex Cora made sure to celebrate his older brother Joey’s 60th birthday with fun and laughter. Joey, the Tigers’ third-base coach, marked his milestone birthday on Wednesday during a three-game series against Alex and the Red Sox.
Taking advantage of the special occasion, Alex arranged for a clown to roam the field during batting practice. The clown came with a tiger puppet and balloon animals to add a playful touch.
Alex, known for his fun-loving nature, joked, “We had a cake, we had clowns, we had balloons. He’s only 60. I want to make it as fun as possible so he’s so mad at me tonight that he doesn’t do his job at third base.”
The idea for the surprise came together late the night before. Alex said, “It’s fun. Being here for his birthday means a lot. He’s my mentor. I’ve always looked up to him. Seeing him happy and doing a great job with that team makes me proud. It’s a big day for us.”
The Tigers helped arrange the clown surprise, with Alex adding, “They helped us out. She works here.”
Despite the jokes, Alex openly admires Joey’s dedication and talent. “Many thought he would be a big league manager, but it didn’t happen for various reasons,” Alex said. “He worked with Ozzie Guillen in Chicago and Miami, went through the minor leagues grind, and worked with Buck Showalter, which was great.”
When Tigers manager A.J. Hinch needed a new third-base coach, he asked Alex for a reference on Joey. Alex said, “A.J. asked me about him. I told him to talk to Joey and decide for himself. Joey has been great for A.J. He has a unique way of seeing the game.”
The celebration showed the strong bond between the Cora brothers, blending fun with deep respect.
