Manager Alex Cora puts players first during Boston’s run to World Series

BOSTON — When Alex Cora was hired to manage the Red Sox a year ago, he knew he wanted to put relationships with his players first.

It made him a success as general manager of Puerto Rico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, again as a general manager and manager in the Puerto Rican Winter League and as bench coach for the Astros during their World Series title run last season.

Cora was toting those lessons with him when he arrived at spring training to find a young Boston team in need of a new voice following back-to-back early exits from the postseason.

He made his new team a promise during their first meeting. “I told them no matter what, I was going to strive to be genuine and accessible,” Cora said.