Alex Cora shares message with Puerto Rico team at Little League World Series

When Alex Cora arrived in South Williamsport, he knew which Little League club he needed to see first.

The Boston Red Sox manager spent a good deal of time speaking to the Guaynabo, Puerto Rico team on Sunday ahead of the MLB Little League Classic.

Cora, a native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, took pride in his home team for not only reaching the grand stage and playing on Volunteer Stadium's field, but for representing his home the way no other club had before.

“It’s actually the first team from back home to have Puerto Rico on their chest," Cora said. "For them to be the first ones, I explained to them what it means to us.”

By the time Cora spoke with Puerto Rico, the team had already been eliminated from the tournament after taking a 6-1 loss to Matamoros, Tamaulipas and a 3-1 loss to Managua, Nicaragua.

With the kids gathered around, Cora talked to them about the 2018 World Series win he experienced with the Red Sox over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He then steered the conversation toward 2020.

The message to the 12-year-old competitors was clear. There will be highs, like living the dream and making the Little League World Series. And there will be lows, such as exiting without a win.

"Talking to the kids from back home, I explained to them everything from the ups and downs and life experience," Cora said. "From being World Champions in 2018 to what happened in 2020, just being real with them, explaining that there are ups and downs in life. You pick it up and keep going."

The Red Sox and Orioles were originally slated to meet at Bowman Field in Williamsport for the 2020 MLB Little League Classic. Instead, COVID-19 put a halt to those plans, much like the rest of the sports world.

The annual game returned the year after when the then-Cleveland Indians shut out the Los Angeles Angels, 3-0.

To finally make the long-awaited trip to the Birthplace of Little League baseball, and see the white "PUERTO RICO" lettering stitched across the yellow Guaynabo jerseys for the first time ever, was the most welcome sight for the decorated native.

“They’re the first ones. It was a great experience," Cora said on interacting with Puerto Rico's players. "I don’t want to say I needed it personally, but it was just kind of like yeah, this is what little league is supposed to be. Just have fun, enjoy it. Show up the next day and have more fun."

Puerto Rico, joined by the rest of the Little League World Series teams staying in South Williamsport, filed into the stands at Bowman Field and watched Cora manage his Red Sox against their AL East foe.

They watched a Puerto Rican, just like them, managing an MLB club at a nationally televised venue, soaking in every last second of it. One of the highs Cora was talking about prior in the day.

"Hopefully they understand that," Cora said. "It was a great experience."