Alex Cora will enjoy Bill Belichick’s reaction to Sox’ walk-off win originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Sunday was quite the day in Boston sports.
After the New England Patriots rallied from a 13-point deficit to defeat the Texans in Houston, the Boston Red Sox pulled off some extra-innings magic at Fenway Park, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on a Christian Vazquez walk-off home run in the 13th inning.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora received a few supportive texts from Patriots head coach Bill Belichick last week prior to the ALDS, and Belichick is still following Cora’s club closely, it appears.
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“Great win last night,” Belichick said Monday morning in a video conference when asked about his relationship with Cora. “Saw the highlights on the walk-off; must have been a heck of a game.”
Belichick’s Patriots were on a plane back to Houston during most of the Red Sox-Rays game, but the head coach clearly respects Cora and is making an effort to follow Boston’s postseason run this October.
“I’ve known Alex for quite a while,” Belichick added. “Have a lot of respect for him, certainly all he’s done here for the Red Sox and the championship they won (in 2018). It looks like they’ve put together another good team here, and it’s fun to watch them play.”
Belichick has seen Terry Francona (2004 and 2007), John Farrell (2013) and Cora (2018) guide the Red Sox to four World Series titles during his tenure in New England, two shy of the Patriots’ six NFL championships in that span.
The Red Sox have a chance to advance one step closer to another title in Monday’s ALDS Game 4 at Fenway — in which case Cora might get another text from the legendary Patriots coach.