Chad Tracy, recently appointed interim manager of the Boston Red Sox, continues to maintain a close and supportive relationship with his predecessor, Alex Cora, following the dramatic coaching change announced on April 25. Cora was dismissed along with six assistants after the Red Sox started the season 10-17, leading to Tracy’s elevation from Triple-A Worcester, where he had managed since 2022.

The transition has been complex for Tracy and his family, who share a longstanding connection with Cora. Tracy’s father, Jim Tracy, a former major league manager with 11 seasons at the helm including stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Colorado Rockies, reflected on the unique nature of the situation. He noted the deep respect his family holds for Cora, who played under him with the Dodgers from 2001 to 2004 and was influential during Jim Tracy’s most successful seasons.

“Alex Cora treated my son like royalty,” Jim Tracy said, emphasizing the enduring support between the two families despite the unexpected circumstances of the managerial change. He added that Chad Tracy would not hesitate to seek advice from Cora, highlighting the ongoing professional and personal bond between them.

Chad Tracy, 40, echoed this sentiment, describing Cora as “an amazing human being” and confirming that they had maintained contact since the managerial transition. “We’ve talked a handful of times, and he has expressed nothing but support,” Tracy said, noting that speaking with Cora in those early weeks was “comforting” amid the challenges of assuming control of the struggling Red Sox.

Cora, 50, also spoke publicly about their relationship for the first time since his firing. He described baseball as a fraternity where extending help to others is fundamental, crediting Jim Tracy for giving him a chance to develop as a “thinking player” during his early career. Cora acknowledged his indebtedness to both Jim and Chad Tracy for their support and camaraderie throughout their overlapping years in baseball.

Despite the upheaval, Chad Tracy has approached his new role with preparation and resolve. Having managed over 1,000 minor league games, including three seasons with the Los Angeles Angels’ Single-A affiliates, Tracy was not overwhelmed by the jump to the majors. Still, the sudden nature of the promotion was jarring. He learned of Cora’s dismissal mid-game at Worcester and spent nearly an hour processing the news.

Transitioning into the Red Sox’s major league dugout, Tracy balanced a mixture of excitement over the opportunity and sadness over the departure of his close friend and former manager. He acknowledged the complexity of replacing someone who not only brought a World Series championship to Boston but also maintained close personal ties with his family.

Jim Tracy has been a steady source of counsel for his son, advising him to “take things a day at a time” amid the intense scrutiny of managing one of baseball’s most storied franchises. Boston’s demanding media and fanbase pose challenges different from those experienced in other major markets, but Chad Tracy believes consistent winning can quell much of the criticism.

Since taking over, Chad Tracy has dedicated himself fully to the team’s rebuilding efforts, while Cora has offered encouragement from a distance. The mutual respect and support between the Tracys and Cora underscore baseball’s tightly knit community, even in the face of difficult organizational decisions and transitions.