Secrets are hard to keep, even for Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora.
When Cora found out that Jarren Duran, Tanner Houck and Rafael Devers were named to the All-Star game, he opted to get to Yankee Stadium late for the Red Sox matchup against the Yankees to not ruin any surprises. He arrived at the ballpark at 3:00 p.m. for a 7:05 pm. ET start time.
“When I got the news this morning, I showed up late to the ballpark because I didn’t want people to see me so happy,” Cora told reporters on Sunday, per NESN’s pregame coverage.
The Red Sox manager said he was worried in the days leading up to the selections due to the All-Star game process. The rule is that there needs to be one player from each team represented in the game.
“You never know how this goes because of the rules,” Cora said.
Now that it has been announced that the trio will head to Arlington, Texas, Cora is not afraid to show his excitement for his players.
Duran has had an All-Star first half of the season, batting .278 with 10 home runs, 40 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Houck has a 7-6 record to go along with his 2.68 ERA in 111 innings pitched. Devers is batting .287 with a team lead 19 home runs and 53 RBIs.
Cora specifically had to hide from Duran, who had a feeling he would be making a trip to Texas.
“I feel like the last few days Jarren (could) feel it, has been thinking about it and I was like ‘We’ve got a lot of work if this doesn’t go the right way, honestly,'” Cora said.
The three will play in the All-Star Game on July 16 in Arlington, Texas with first pitch set for 8 p.m. ET.
